Immigrants might save Detroit and other dying U.S. cities, The Economist explains

(Image credit: The Economist)

published 3 February 2015

American cities like Detroit, Baltimore, and other former industrial powerhouses are in decay, and immigrants might help save them. "How can immigrants help revitalize a city?" asks The Economist. In the video below, the magazine offers several ways, starting with that they "help transform an area simply by being resident." They pay taxes, fix up the decrepit areas they can afford, start businesses because it's hard to find other work, and plant the seeds for gentrification.

If that doesn't sound great for the immigrants, they can always leave — and do, if the "spiral of decay" continues. "Immigrants can help revitalize a city, but they cannot do it on their own," The Economist concludes. Watch their case for why struggling cities should help immigrant students, families, and refugees make themselves feel at home. —Peter Weber

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.