Logo for InfluenceWatch InfluenceWatch

Donate
Other Group

Cities for Action (C4A)

Website:

www.citiesforaction.us/
Type:

City Government Coalition
Formation:

2014
Leadership:

Steering Committee

Contact InfluenceWatch with suggested edits or tips for additional profiles.

Cities for Action (C4A) is a nationwide coalition of 189 mayors and county executives dedicated to advancing left-of-center immigration policies at all levels of government. 1 It is coordinated by a steering committee which guides its strategic initiatives. 2

History

Cities for Action was founded in New York City in December 2014 by 25 mayors committed to left-of-center immigration policies. 3

By the end of 2020 it had grown to nearly 200 participants representing jurisdictions nationwide and included both mayors and county executives. 4 Then-Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot (D) and San Diego, California, Mayor Todd Gloria (D) were appointed national co-chairs in July 2021. 5

As of December 2023, C4A was governed by a steering committee with representatives from Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Providence, San Francisco, and Seattle. 6

C4A has conducted eight national conventions since its 2014 founding. 7 Its most recent convention, held in New York City in December 2023, brought together representatives from 23 jurisdictions in 14 states. 8 They focused on advocating for a “National Asylum Seeker Response” urging the federal government to provide “more financial and logistical support to cities across the country” with emphasis on increased and flexible funding for immigration-related programming. 9

The convention was held against the backdrop of an upcoming Presidential election and severe urban budgetary crises precipitated by an unprecedented increase in the migrant influx. 10

Policy Objectives

Cities for Action enables municipal and county officials from multiple jurisdictions to share program knowledge and exchange resources while advocating for federal policies supporting a left-leaning approach to immigration. C4A issues policy statements, sends letters outlining its positions to the President and Congressional representatives, meets with Capitol Hill staff, and produces op-eds. 11 12

It developed an immigration advocacy and messaging toolkit with New American Economy prior to that organization’s merger with the American Immigration Council (AIC) and a second toolkit on providing immigrant legal services. 13 14 15 That toolkit was implemented in New York City under Mayor Bill de Blasio (D). 16 17

Cities for Action alleges that the immigration policies of the Trump administration were “characterized by cruelty, xenophobia…division and continued Congressional inaction.” It describes its vision for changes to immigration policy as “humane” and necessary to build a “resilient and inclusive society.” 18

C4A’s policy objectives include: federally coordinated and funded partnership with local officials through a White House Office of New Americans; creating a national funding stream for immigrant legal services; permanent legal protection from deportation and a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, DACA recipients, Dreamers, and TPS holders and unspecified “vulnerable” immigrant populations; broadening qualifications for asylum; increasing the quota of refugees admitted to the country; expanding employment-based immigration opportunities; eliminating penalties for non-cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration officials; and expanding the immigrant and refugee resettlement social services, education, and healthcare support infrastructure. 19

It has also ventured into the international arena through gathering signatories to the 2018 Marrakech Mayors Declaration. The Declaration calls for the inclusion of city government perspectives in international conversations on immigration and advocates for expanding local capacity for reception of migrants in order to ensure “safe, orderly and regular migration.” 20 21

References

  1. Cities For Action. “Cities For Action.” Accessed March 21, 2024. https://www.citiesforaction.us/
  2. NYC, Global. “Local Advocacy on Immigration: A Conversation with Niti Suchdeve, Cities for Action Program….” Medium (blog), April 30, 2019. Accessed March 21, 2024. https://medium.com/@globalnyc/local-advocacy-on-immigration-a-conversation-with-niti-suchdeve-cities-for-action-program-f9d61aed5995
  3.  Cities For Action. “Cities For Action.” Accessed March 21, 2024. https://www.citiesforaction.us/
  4. “Cities for Action Holds Nationwide Convening to Establish Coalition Priorities During the Biden-Harris Administration.” Accessed March 22, 2024. https://www.nyc.gov/site/immigrants/about/press-releases/cities-for-action-holds-nationwide-convening-12-16-2020.page
  5.  News, A. B. C. “Mayors of Chicago, NYC Criticize Gov. Abbott’s Migrant Busing to Cities.” ABC News. Accessed March 23, 2024. https://abcnews.go.com/US/chicago-mayor-criticizes-gov-abbotts-resumption-migrant-busing/story?id=98981971
  6. NYC, Global. “Local Advocacy on Immigration: A Conversation with Niti Suchdeve, Cities for Action Program….” Medium (blog), April 30, 2019. Accessed March 21, 2024. https://medium.com/@globalnyc/local-advocacy-on-immigration-a-conversation-with-niti-suchdeve-cities-for-action-program-f9d61aed5995
  7. The official website of the City of New York. “New York City Hosts Eighth Annual,” December 4, 2023. Accessed March 21, 2024. http://www.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/922-23/new-york-city-hosts-eighth-annual-cities-action-convening-focused-national-asylum-seeker
  8. Magazine, Harlem World. “NYC Hosts 8th ‘Cities For Action’ Convening On Asylum Seeker Response.” Harlem World Magazine (blog), December 4, 2023. Accessed March 22, 2024. https://www.harlemworldmagazine.com/nyc-hosts-8th-cities-for-action-convening-on-asylum-seeker-response/
  9. “New York City Hosts Eighth Annual ‘Cities for Action’ Convening Focused on National Asylum Seeker Response – Midtown Tribune New York,” December 4, 2023. Accessed March 22, 2024. https://midtowntribune.com/2023/12/04/new-york-city-hosts-eighth-annual-cities-for-action-convening-focused-on-national-asylum-seeker-response/
  10. Slater, Joanna, Reis Thebault, and Karin Brulliard. “Democratic Cities That Welcomed Migrants Are Starting to Roll Back Aid.” Washington Post, March 22, 2024. Accessed March 23, 2024. https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/03/20/city-migrant-funding-new-york/
  11. Cities For Action. “Cities For Action.” Accessed March 23, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20170129123038/
  12. Cities For Action. “Actions.” Accessed March 23, 2024. https://www.citiesforaction.us/actions
  13. Cities For Action. “Immigration Reform.” Accessed March 23, 2024. https://www.citiesforaction.us/immigration_reform
  14. American Immigration Council. “American Immigration Council.” Accessed March 23, 2024. https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/
  15. NYC, Global. “Local Advocacy on Immigration: A Conversation with Niti Suchdeve, Cities for Action Program….” Medium (blog), April 30, 2019. Accessed March 21, 2024. https://medium.com/@globalnyc/local-advocacy-on-immigration-a-conversation-with-niti-suchdeve-cities-for-action-program-f9d61aed5995
  16. Cities For Action. “Cities For Action.” Accessed March 23, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20170207125412/
  17. December 09, CitiesforAction on, and 2016 Share. “ActionNYC Toolkit.” Cities For Action. Accessed March 24, 2024. https://www.citiesforaction.us/actionnyc_toolkit
  18. Cities for Action. “A Vision for Immigration Action.” January 2021.  HHRG-117-JU01-20210211-SD007.pdf. Accessed March 21, 2024. https://www.citiesforaction.us/
  19. Cities for Action. “A Vision for Immigration Action.” January 2021.  HHRG-117-JU01-20210211-SD007.pdf. Accessed March 21, 2024. https://www.citiesforaction.us/
  20. NYC, Global. “Local Advocacy on Immigration: A Conversation with Niti Suchdeve, Cities for Action Program….” Medium (blog), April 30, 2019. Accessed March 21, 2024. https://medium.com/@globalnyc/local-advocacy-on-immigration-a-conversation-with-niti-suchdeve-cities-for-action-program-f9d61aed5995
  21. 5th Mayoral Forum on Human Mobility, Migration and Development. “Marrakech Mayors Declaration.” December 8, 2021. marrakech_mayors_declaration.pdf. Accessed March 24, 2024. https://uclg.org/
  See an error? Let us know!