- Some cities in the US have been ramping up their efforts to attract newcomers, even as President Donald Trump's administration rails against illegal and legal forms of immigration.
- Aa number of cities have been implementing immigrant-friendly programs or limiting their cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
President Donald Trump's administration is cracking down on all corners of the US immigration system, but some cities have opened their arms wide instead.
Across the US, cities have begun rolling out immigrant-friendly policies, rethinking the way their police departments cooperate with federal immigration authorities, and launching sweeping campaigns designed to attract newcomers.
According to a list compiled by TransferWise and the New York Immigration Coalition, the top 10 cities for immigrants range geographically but have a few common programs or policies that either assist immigrants in integrating into their new communities, enable affordable lifestyles, or help shield them from deportation.
The list creators analyzed the 50 most populous cities in the US and scored them based on nine criteria. They range from quality of life factors, like the average cost of living, and immigrant-friendly policies, like the degree to which local law enforcement cooperates with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Other criteria included high school graduation rates, minimum wage, affordability of public transportation, universal preschool, municipal ID programs, offices dedicated to immigrant affairs or "new Americans," and whether the cities labeled themselves "sanctuary cities."
Here are the 10 best cities for immigrants:
SEE ALSO: 'Wait your turn': The incredibly complicated process behind legal immigration to the US
10. Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee's affordability is one of its most appealing traits to newcomers — its average cost of living falls well below the national average. It is also one of a handful of cities in the US to offer a municipal ID program, which provides residents with photo identification and allows them access to certain services regardless of their immigration status.
Like other cities named on the list, Milwaukee has a policy that limits law enforcement officers' cooperation with ICE, and it refuses to honor the agency's non-legally binding requests to detain suspected unauthorized immigrants in certain cases.
9. Los Angeles, CA
Despite its high cost of living and woeful public transit system, Los Angeles is particularly beloved by immigrants, who make up 38% of the city's overall population.
Other points in LA's favor include its $12 minimum wage — much higher than the US median of $8.15 — and its universal preschool program.
8. Boston, MA
Boston has long been seen as a haven for immigrants, dating back to the early 1900s when the city was one of the busiest ports of entry for foreigners.
Nowadays, Boston has retained its appeal to newcomers by offering a generous array of public services, like universal preschool and affordable transit, as well as a recently-implemented $11 minimum wage.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider