Recent developments paint an encouraging picture. Throughout 2023, the area saw an influx of 30,000 foreign-born individuals, marking a significant 23.2% rise in the immigrant population, as reported by census figures. In contrast, the New York City area saw 88,000 new arrivals, translating to a modest 1.5% increase. This surge almost balanced the departure of 34,000 native-born residents.

Dustin Allison, the interim CEO of Greater St. Louis Inc., the primary business group in the city, emphasized, “We need to expand, and immigration to St. Louis is our path forward. Pragmatically speaking, we require more people to offer the talent that can draw and keep businesses in our area.”

Brad Christ, a Republican state representative from a suburb southwest of the city, commented, “There are shortages across nearly every sector, from law enforcement and education to manufacturing. I’m a strong advocate for legal immigration, and I believe St. Louis has effectively implemented measures to address these needs.”

This tactic isn’t unique to St. Louis; cities like Detroit and Philadelphia have also embraced similar strategies amidst population declines. With birthrates falling, immigration is projected to be the sole driver of population growth nationwide, prompting cities with aging populations to vie for incoming residents.

According to William Frey, a demographer at the Brookings Institution who has examined these recent trends, “As domestic migrants decrease, these cities will increasingly rely on immigration for growth.” Domestic migrants refer to internal movers within the country.

However, the Trump administration is disrupting this approach by cutting refugee resettlement funds, revoking temporary legal statuses, and potentially limiting employment-based visas. Missouri’s Republican governor, Mike Kehoe, has made moves to crack down on illegal immigration, instructing state law enforcement to track those without legal status and record the immigration status of individuals charged with crimes.

For St. Louis officials, all Democrats within the city limits, the broader state and national stance on immigration presents significant hurdles to their efforts to attract new residents. Leaders from the surrounding county share this sentiment.

Sam Page, the Democratic St. Louis County executive, stated, “We’re looking for people who can contribute their skills and work here. The president’s policies are fostering an unwelcoming atmosphere.”