Across the globe, 120 million people are displaced, with 70 percent aiming to start new lives in cities. This unprecedented migration wave is testing local governments’ financial and operational capacities. To manage this, city leaders are turning to innovative solutions.
In New York City, a new agency was created to assist the over 200,000 migrants who arrived in the past two years. This agency, the Office of Asylum Seeker Operations, includes an Asylum Application Help Center that provides one-on-one support for asylum applications, temporary protected status, and work authorization. The center collaborates with private law firms and local universities to offer free legal aid and interpretation services, processing thousands of applications.
Denver’s mayor introduced a comprehensive service system for 42,000 new arrivals, focusing on work authorization and sharing strategies with other cities. In Freetown, Sierra Leone, efforts are directed at integrating migrant aid with other city priorities. The city is incorporating migrant workers into their sanitation projects, which aligns with their climate and development goals. This initiative is part of a larger collaboration with the Mayors Migration Council, aiming to create a sustainable, inclusive environment for all residents.
Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Government Innovation programs highlight the importance of leadership in crisis response. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston emphasizes bold actions to tackle migration challenges. Denver has developed a playbook with 15 actionable steps, from managing donations to leveraging local data for federal support, to assist other cities facing similar issues.
New York City’s approach to aiding new arrivals involves innovative partnerships with local universities, offering course credits to students who assist with asylum claims. Tulsa, Oklahoma, launched the Immigrant Community Development Corporation to support immigrant entrepreneurs with resources like business incubators and international market spaces. This initiative helps immigrants gain assets and integrates them into the local economy.
Freetown’s approach involves embedding migrant support into the city’s broader development plans. Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, in collaboration with the Mayors Migration Council, hires migrant youth for waste collection, aligning with climate and sanitation goals. Eugenia Kargbo, Freetown’s Chief Heat Officer, integrates migration issues into long-term climate strategies.
Cities worldwide are learning from each other to better support migrants and integrate them into the community and economic plans. As Mayor Aki-Sawyerr states, the goal is to build inclusive cities where everyone can thrive.