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Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
Mayor,
City of Baltimore
250 City Hall • Baltimore, Maryland 21202 •
410-396-3835 • Fax: 410-576-9425
Better Schools. Safer Streets. Stronger
Neighborhoods.
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
Thursday, November 17, 2016
STATEMENT
Mayor
Rawlings-Blake Affirms Baltimore as a Welcoming City for
Immigrants
Good morning.
Baltimore’s charm and character are a
product of many different cultures and immigrant groups coming
together. We pride ourselves on the strength of our collective
neighborhoods. This morning, I want to reaffirm Baltimore as a place
that welcomes all people – American born and new Americans.
From the beginning of my administration, I
have made it clear that a key part of our growth strategy is to encourage
new Americans to come here and make Baltimore their home. That’s how
Baltimore grew into an important industrial City in the twentieth century
and it is one way we will grow our city again in the 21st century.
The presence of immigrants and refugees help make neighborhoods across our
city stronger and more diverse and we welcome that.
In the wake of the national election, the
role of Welcoming Cities like Baltimore has become even more important and
vital. Welcoming Cities are cities that promote mutual respect and
cooperation between immigrants and long term residents. Building inclusive
and tolerant communities that reject bigotry has been a central pillar of
our city and one that makes Baltimore stronger and all of us better.
Now more than ever, we need to come
together as a city – One Baltimore – to make sure our communities send a
strong and clear message that we all belong. This is a city for all
of us no matter where you may have originally been born. This issue
is being debated around the country right now and we must be committed to
listening to one another and respecting one another.
We know this is a difficult time, but as Mayor I am committed to being
there for you and doing everything I can do to ensure that all our
residents -- including immigrants and refugees -- feel safe and know that
they are valued and belong in our City.
Today, my Office of Immigrant and
Multicultural Affairs (MIMA) released a ”Community Guide” with information
and resources to guide our most vulnerable constituents through the coming
weeks. In addition, efforts to coordinate immigration clinics are underway
in partnership with community stakeholders. As a Welcoming City, we
will join together in a spirit of unity to build a better, safer, and
stronger Baltimore that embraces new and native-born Americans alike.
Thank you.
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
Community Guide: http://mayor.baltimorecity.gov/sites/default/files/MIMA%20Community%20Information%20Post%20Election%202016_0.pdf
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Mayor's Office of Immigrant & Multicultural Affairs
100 N. Holliday Street, Room 250
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-396-8056
mima@baltimorecity.gov
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