Houston moves to become 'Welcoming City' for immigrants

Texas state Rep. Gene Wu , speaking at an event to launch an initiative to make Houston a 'welcoming city' for immigrants, discusses growing up as an immigrant in Houston. He says his family is now "living the American dream." (Brooke Lewis/ Houston Chronicle) less Texas state Rep. Gene Wu , speaking at an event to launch an initiative to make Houston a 'welcoming city' for immigrants, discusses growing up as an immigrant in Houston. He says his family is now "living the ... more Image 1 of / 18 Caption Close Houston moves to become 'Welcoming City' for immigrants 1 / 18 Back to Gallery

Community leaders on Wednesday gathered to announce Houston's initiative to become an official "Welcoming City" for immigrants.

Community leaders from different sectors will develop a plan in the coming months to improve the lives of immigrants moving to Houston. Several cities across the country are dubbed welcoming cities, but Houston is the second city in Texas to take on such a role.

"Everyone who comes here has the same aspiration and it's simple -- to earn, to learn, and to belong, said Angela Blanchard, CEO and President of Neighborhood Centers. "Each of us is responsible in this city to build that on-ramp to opportunity."

Community leaders on Wednesday talked about how immigrant families contributed to the city's population and economic growth.

Between 2009 and 2014, the foreign-born population in Houston increased by 17 percent. Foreign-born residents contributed $116.5 billion to Houston's gross domestic product in 2014, according to a report released by the Partnership for a New American Economy.

The strategic plan will be presented to Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner in November.

"We're living in a time when the drumbeat of fairness and justice doesn't seem to be able to drown out the shrieks of hate," said Blanchard. "But I'm enormously proud of this city because day after day we figure out how to make welcome a reality."