Becoming Welcoming: Grassroots Collaboration and Immigrant Integration in Dayton, OH

• In Event: 333 - Section on International Migration Paper Session. Political Integration of Immigrants and Their Adult U.S. Citizen Children: Mechanisms of Inclusion and Exclusion

Abstract

We analyze the emergence and implementation of the Welcome Dayton (Ohio) initiative as resulting from ongoing efforts by numerous local organizations, including those of immigrants and refugees themselves, to assist recent immigrants and protect their rights. Specifically, we explore pro-immigrant advocacy in Dayton prior to the introduction of the initiative, focusing on collaboration and persistence among grassroots advocates. The significance of these early efforts comes into full view when we also consider how organizational coalitions played an instrumental role in bringing Welcome Dayton to fruition. When the City’s Human Relations Council initiated community conversations on immigrant issues, there were many participants with experience to guide the writing of a comprehensive report with extensive recommendations for institutional change. Once begun, we show how Welcome Dayton’s initiatives have partnered with local organizations and how Dayton has come to play a leading role in regional and national efforts to create welcoming cities, becoming part of a broader social movement that has been quite successful in pushing back against exclusionary immigration law and policies. Regional and national level organizations have formed subsequent to grassroots efforts and continue to collaborate and communicate with one another.

Authors

• Theo J. Majka, University of Dayton

• Jamie G. Longazel, University of Dayton