"Saeed Taraky, now Erie's refugee and immigrant liaison, supports newcomers with gifts and coordination to foster their integration and prosperity in a once-struggling city."
"Faced with industrial decline, Erie city leaders have chosen to welcome immigrants as a solution to boost the economy and address population decline."
"Elizabeth Jones states, 'Immigration can be a kind of panacea for population decline,' illustrating how cities like Erie can benefit from newcomers."
"Once home to 138,000, Erie's population has dwindled to 90,000 due to factory relocations; embracing immigration is now seen as a survival strategy."
In Erie, Pennsylvania, Saeed Taraky, a former Afghan refugee and current immigrant liaison, uses pens as symbolic gifts for new citizens following naturalization ceremonies. His actions reflect a broader city initiative aimed at revitalizing Erie amidst industrial decline. With a population drop from 138,000 to 90,000, local leaders have turned to immigration as a viable strategy to combat this issue. Taraky coordinates efforts to help newcomers resettle and provides insights that influence city policies, highlighting a collaborative effort to foster an inclusive and sustainable community.
Read at Fast Company
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