By Deba Uwadiae and Taiwo Akinlami

Columbus City Councilmember Lourdes Barroso de Padilla has announced plans by the City Council to establish a Commission for Immigrants and Refugees with the public hearings slated for this summer.

“The public hearings will share the structure and mission of the commission. We are inviting everybody to come and share their ideas on the commission,” said Councilmember Lourdes Barroso de Padilla at the presentation of ‘Findings from the Immigrants Make Columbus Project’ by The Ohio State University, Department of Social Work, in collaboration with the Columbus City Council.

“After the period of public input, we hope to present the legislation to Columbus City Council in September so that we can officially codify the commission, with the commission launching in January 2025.”

Barroso de Padilla said that “currently 10 percent of the city residents are foreign born and this number is expected to continue to rise. Columbus is expected to grow by one million people by 2050.”

“Immigrant and the refugee communities are the leading contributors to growth in Columbus and the state of Ohio. They contribute $353 million to state and local taxes. They are innovators and entrepreneurs. They are representatives of our growing workforce in literally every sector.’

Several significant findings have emerged from the project, highlighting the desire for more sidewalks, improved public transportation, and opportunities to celebrate cultural holidays and activities. Safety concerns, particularly with the rise of crime, remain salient among New American residents.

Furthermore, the project has revealed the significant influence of a sense of belonging on the relationship between integration and a better quality of life for new Americans. Language barriers, legal issues, funding inequities, transportation access, green spaces, and discrimination have been identified as notable challenges faced by new Americans daily.

Noteworthy recommendations from the community include:

• Revising the K-12 curriculum.
• Addressing funding practices.
• Promoting cross-agency collaboration.
• Establishing pathways to professional jobs.

These insights, shaped by the active participation of individuals from 23 countries of origin, will guide our efforts to ensure that Columbus becomes an even more attractive destination for new Americans seeking educational, work, and residency opportunities. Your involvement in this process is key to our collective success.

The event promises to be enlightening and insightful, offering a forum for substantive discussion and constructive progress. Tonight’s gathering is crucial to the success of this critical discussion on immigrant issues and community development in Columbus. (Additonal reports by reports by Okon Ekpenyong and Grace Washington)

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