Arlington to continue welcoming immigrants in 2008

Lowell has a post up debunking the myth that high(er) immigration rates lead to an increase in violent crimes, and it looks like Arlington will continue to welcome immigrants according to it's 2008 agenda.

Arlington will continue to welcome immigrants even as more Northern Virginia communities look towards turning them away.

"While others were making scapegoats of immigrants and promoting divisive polices of exclusion," in 2007, J. Walter Tejada, the county's first Hispanic Chairman, said, "Arlington took a stand for justice and inclusion. This will not change in 2008." The newly named Chairman unveiled his three-pronged "Agenda for Progress" Monday during the Board's traditional New Year's Day organizing session. He is promising to eliminate smoking in public places and trans fats from restaurants, promote affordable housing, and improve cultural diversity by working towards policies of inclusion.

Tejada, who immigrated to the U.S. from El Salvador when he was 13, is pledging to promote better personal understandings across the County's diverse cultures. He said the County will work with non-profit organizations to expand opportunities for immigrants to pursue U.S. citizenship. He also wants to provide more assistance for English language training.

Arlington, which I'm proud to call my home, is one of the most diverse counties in the nation and it's no coincidence that we're also one of the most educated.