Atlanta Named First ‘Welcoming Region’ In U.S.

The Trump administration is considering penalizing legal immigrants if they use government benefits such as Medicaid and food stamps. The details haven’t been finalized, but opponents say the consequences to immigrant families and the nation’s health system could be dire.

It’s the latest example of a toughening federal stance on immigration. While that’s the trajectory at the national level, a Decatur-based organization, Welcoming America, is working to ensure immigrants in communities near and far hear a different message altogether.

Recently, Welcoming America Executive Director Rachel Peric sat down with WABE’s Jim Burress to talk about why Atlanta is the first major metro region in the U.S. to create and implement a regional welcoming plan.