WASHINGTON — Dayton City Commissioner Matt Joseph met with White House officials Wednesday to discuss the city’s program to attract more immigrants to the community.
Joseph called the White House conference “really interesting’’ because it allowed him to “tap into the best minds” dealing with immigration. He said “there are plenty of initiatives out there” that have been tried, adding that “increasing communication among groups that work with immigrants is key.”
Joseph and other local officials from across the country heard from Cecilia Munoz, director of the White House domestic policy council; Felicia Escobar, who serves as a White House immigration adviser, and Alejandro Mayorkas, deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
In 2011, former Dayton Mayor Gary Leitzell, City Manager Tim Riordan, Joseph and others created the Welcome Dayton program. Joseph chairs the Welcome Dayton Committee, which works to enhance business, educational and housing opportunities for immigrants.
“There are two reasons we did immigration efforts in Dayton,” Joseph said. “One, you are treating people right. Second, it’s good for the city and economic development.”
He said immigrants “start more businesses” than people born in the United States, saying they “are willing to take the chance. We love that kind of vitality and we want more of it.”
Joseph said about 600 to 700 immigrants and refugees were re-settled last year in the Greater Dayton area. He added that the number of foreign students attending the University of Dayton and Wright State University has also increased.
