Cleveland's busy immigration year

Driving the news: Council increased its recurring annual allocation to Global Cleveland — a nonprofit dedicated to growing the regional economy via immigration — from $150,000 to $175,000.

What they're saying: "I will always say that we need more resources, because that's my job," Cimperman said, "but I've never seen so many leaders in government come together."

By the numbers: Cimperman estimated that 5,000 people arrived in Cleveland in 2023, including refugees from Afghanistan and Ukraine, and asylum seekers primarily from central and South America.

• He said 2024 is on pace to be even busier.

Yes, but: "Our community does a great job of welcoming people, training them and educating them," he said.

• "We need to do a better job of keeping them."

Catch up quick: Last year, the May Dugan Center on the near west side formally affiliated with the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society and became a refugee resettlement agency, which settles 500 new refugees each year.

• Like the other resettlement agencies, May Dugan assists with locating housing, medical services, jobs and cultural acclimation.

Go deeper: Cuyahoga County opens Welcome Center for immigrants and refugees