This is an opinion column

Today’s guest columnist is Carlos E. Alemán

Birmingham is losing population.

Jefferson County is losing population.

The population of our seven county metro area is stagnant.

It is obvious to me, but not necessarily to everyone, that immigration will likely save our Birmingham region and possibly our state.

If you take a close look around today, you’ll see the impact of immigrant contributions.

From the growing student population in Birmingham City Schools to the buzzing of construction sites to the rising number of businesses led by immigrant entrepreneurs, the seeds of future success are already taking root. Immigrants are not just part of this city’s history; they are key to its future.

Like we have across the nation, immigrants have helped boost job growth and stave off a recession. Alabama would do well to welcome immigrants as part of its strategy for workforce development and economic innovation.

When I speak to audiences across Birmingham, I often share a truth that might surprise some: Latinos and Southerners—folks from Birmingham—have more in common than one might initially think.

We share a profound appreciation for family, a deep-rooted sense of faith, and yes, a shared love of pork. While that last one is meant to draw a smile, it speaks to something deeper: a connection that transcends cultural differences.

What unites us is our shared desire for a better future. Immigrants, like so many others in our community, seek good schools for their children, safe and welcoming neighborhoods, and well-paying jobs where they can build lives with hope and purpose.

This is where the story of Birmingham and its immigrant population begins to converge. The Hispanic community, along with other immigrant populations, is growing and playing a pivotal role in shaping the city’s future.

I moved to Alabama in 2013 and have been witness to the incredible growth of our community’s Hispanic population. As the CEO of the Hispanic and Immigrant Center of Alabama (¡HICA!), I have had the privilege of working with our community to build prosperity and inspire hope.

Birmingham has a storied history of immigrants. Since the turn of the 20th century Greek, Italian, Jewish, and Middle Eastern immigrants have made their impact on the Magic City. More recently, we’ve seen the tremendous success stories of folks like Shegun Otulana, Sanjay Singh, and others.

Now, Hispanics make up the largest percentage of immigrants in our community. We have seen the incredible success of business leaders like Mike Suco, CEO of Coca Cola United, Wendy Padilla-Madden, who owns Santo Coffee shops, Dulce Rivera, who runs her family grocery business Mi Pueblo, and Jesus “Chuy” Mendez and Jose Medina, who have established downtown hotspot Adios. Among them we must also include social entrepreneur and ¡HICA! founder Isabel Rubio.

The demographics are clear: the Hispanic population in Birmingham has been on the rise, bringing new energy, ideas, and vitality to the city. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Hispanic population of the Birmingham MSA has grown over 57 percent in the last 12 years to a total of over 71k. If current trends hold, the population can be expected to grow at a rate of 4 percent each year.

And this comes at a critical time as we face a workforce crisis. Employers are struggling to fill positions, and businesses are seeking skilled, motivated workers to fuel their growth. This is where the immigrant community steps in, as we see more immigrants contributing to workforce participation and entrepreneurial activity, areas that are essential for Birmingham’s economic revival.

At ¡HICA!, we have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the dynamism of Hispanic entrepreneurs. Since 2013, we have helped over 200 individuals obtain their business licenses, and since 2019, we have deployed over $800,000 in small business loans to support more than 70businesses. Remarkably, we’ve only had one small loan default, under $5,000. This speaks to the strength, resilience, and reliability of our immigrant entrepreneurs—people who are creating jobs, driving innovation, and contributing to the vitality of our economy.

As we talk about Birmingham’s “comeback,” we must recognize that this comeback will be incomplete without the full inclusion of Hispanics and immigrants. The next chapter of Birmingham’s story must be one of unity and collaboration, where we work together to build a more inclusive and prosperous future.

The city’s strength has always been its ability to welcome new people, new ideas, and new opportunities. If we lean into that legacy, I have no doubt that Birmingham’s best days are ahead.

Carlos E. Alemán, Ph.D., is a historian, former professor, Homewood city councilor, and chief executive officer of ¡HICA!, the Hispanic and Immigrant Center of Alabama. Dr. Alemán serves on the boards of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, REV Birmingham, Kiwanis Club of Birmingham, the National Partnership for New Americans, and serves on the advisory board for the Alabama Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs

David Sher is the founder and publisher of ComebackTown. He’s past Chairman of the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce (BBA), Operation New Birmingham (REV Birmingham), and the City Action Partnership (CAP).

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Invite David to speak for free to your group about how we can have a more prosperous metro Birmingham. [email protected]