Two California cities, Redwood City and the City of Oakley, are implementing initiatives to improve understanding and strengthen relationships between immigrant community members and longer-term residents. Both communities have undertaken multi-sector planning efforts, with a substantial partnership role for local officials, to develop their respective immigrant “welcoming” program.

In 2006, Boulder, Colo., created the Immigrant Advisory Committee (IAC) to encourage immigrant participation in the city’s government and to inform local policy decisions affecting the immigrant community. The IAC serves to ensure equal access to city services, promote civic engagement and to advise the city manager on issues of importance in the local immigrant community.