From 1892 to 1924 Ellis Island was the largest immigration port, processing over 12 million people. For many it was an  “Island of Hope”, but for others it was a place where families were torn apart. On the West Coast, Angel Island  operated as smaller port of entry, operating between 1910 and 1940, and processing or detaining approximately  500,000 hopeful immigrants. Philadelphia, New Orleans, Boston, and Baltimore were also major entry ports for  immigrants and refugees. 

Being among the most vulnerable people in the world, refugees are protected by the 1951 UN Refugee Convention  (supplemented by the 1967 Protocol). This treaty provides an internationally recognized definition of a refugee and  outlines the legal protection, rights and assistance that a refugee is entitled to seek. The United States has historically  welcomed more refugees than any other country. 

Complicating the refugee migration from countries with political upheaval or persecution is the climate refugee, those  who relocate either within their own countries or to foreign countries due to inhospitable environmental changes. This  type of global migration currently has over 20 million people leaving their homes each year, and is only expected to  worsen. 

The United States is currently facing a challenge of refugees and immigrants in a crisis at our southern border where  people predominantly from South and Central America seek to enter the US mainly to escape threats and difficulties in their homelands. Cities throughout the country are grappling with unprecedented waves of migrants, many bussed in  recent months to cities distant from the southern borders, such as New York City, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Boston,  and others. Available resources are being overburdened at the border and in those cities. 

Refugees and immigrants bring ideas, skills, energy, diversity, and entrepreneurialism to this country. They expand the  labor force and contribute to economic growth overall. The country benefits from the contributions of immigrants.  However, life is not easy for them. Even though immigrants have high levels of employment, the wages are often not  enough to support all of their needs. One third of immigrants report difficulties affording basic needs like food, housing,  and health care. 

According to IMMIGRANTS AND OPPORTUNITY IN AMERICA’S CITIES: Blueprint for Opportunity Series NO. 3, by the SMU  Economic Growth Initiative at The George W. Bush Institute, a wide variety of contributions are made by immigrants that  make America’s cities more vibrant. [That report] “shows that metro areas with high foreign-born population shares tend  to perform better than most other places in the following ways: household incomes, in both native-born and foreign born populations; Innovation; universities with large innovation impact; productivity, both overall and in the technology  sector; startup businesses; staffing in essential occupations like nursing; construction costs and thus housing prices; foodie  culture and other measures of cultural appeal. All these benefits contribute to making cities successful – which is why  attracting and retaining immigrants and other newcomers play a vital role in building prosperous cities in 21st century  America.”