The U.S. has been built on immigrants since the beginning. This is something that many people recognize, but what some fail to realize is that even today some cities still depend on drawing strength from an influx of immigrants. Baltimore is one of those cities. In 2011, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake set the goal of attracting 10,000 immigrant families over the next decade, and the city has seen much of that come to fruition.
In fact, while the population has been declining overall for the last decade, the immigration population has been rising. Immigrants have played their role in keeping the city of Baltimore going, and as such, those willing to go through the necessary legal processes to become a citizen have already earned their fair shot. With representation from Raymond O. Griffith, you can get just that. We’ll help you through the immigration process, towards your green card, residency, citizenship, or asylum. Here’s a little more on how Baltimore has been lifted by immigrants.
Immigrants Holding Up Baltimore
If somebody asked you what made a city, the answer you get might be philosophical, but in the United States, what makes you a city is your population. Had it not been for immigrants over the last decade, Baltimore would be becoming less of a city almost every day. However, because of immigrants, Baltimore saw its first population growth for the first time in almost six decades during the 2010s. Even though there have been some recent hard times for the city, immigrants continue to rise.
In 2019, the population was back on the decline overall, but immigrant migrations and fortitude have helped stem the population drop. In 2018, immigrant migration prevented or minimized population loss in seven Maryland districts, according to a Stateline report compiled using 2018 census data. In 2017, immigrants accounted for 14% of Baltimore County’s population.
The impact of immigrants in Baltimore doesn’t come only in population statistics, the immigrants of Baltimore surely have a hand in whatever stability the economy has. Of course immigrants fill in jobs, but the immigrants in our city do so much more. Around the start of 2015, about one-fifth of all Baltimore business owners were immigrants. Baltimore’s immigrant-entrepreneur population continued to grow after 2015. Whole parts of the city have been reborn, with pockets of ethnic culture, cuisine, and activities popping up in various directions. Overall, in 2017, immigrants held just over 8.7 billion in spending power.
This impact on the city’s livelihood is no coincidence, as cities across the nation, particularly in post-industrial areas, have leaned on rising immigrant populations to set them on a better economic course. According to a study from 2017 by the New America Economy, a New-York based research group, immigrants are 57% more likely to become entrepreneurs than U.S. born citizens.
There’s really no debating whether or not immigrants have had a positive impact on the city of Baltimore as, without them, there’s a possibility that whole areas of the city would be destitute instead of teaming with culture and economic activity. Unfortunately, this hasn’t earned all immigrants in Baltimore the treatment that you’d expect from decent human beings.
The Need For Immigration Attorneys and Representation in Baltimore
Despite all that immigrants have done for the city of Baltimore and the city’s status as a sanctuary city, immigrants should take every precaution to protect themselves against potential deportation. This includes having an immigration lawyer or attorney in your corner. Unfortunately, when it comes to immigrants, the current administration, along with ICE, seems to have little interest in the value that immigrants serve to the city of Baltimore. They’ll go so far as trapping you to try and get one more deportation.
It’s important to understand that until you’ve obtained citizenship, and unfortunately sometimes even then, there is always a threat of deportation. However, no matter where you are in the process of seeking citizenship, residency, a green card, or searching for an attorney to begin your path to legal immigration status, it’s always a good idea to have an immigration attorney on hand to protect you in case the legal system makes a mistake.
If you’re an immigrant coming here for business, someone seeking family immigration, a dreamer, or a refugee, Raymond O. Griffith can help protect you while you reside in the United States and help get you started on the road to being a U.S. citizen.
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