Local communities, not state or federal governments, should decide who can participate in their elections. We all stand to benefit from more engaged and more representative local governments and school boards.

All residents in a community should be voting on the matters that affect them most in their day-to-day lives. From deciding how their property taxes are put to use, to getting a say in who educates their children.

It is important for new Americans to become part of a community, to exchange ideas and cultures. We believe that local elections are a great way to do that. Integration through exclusion is not the answer.

America's immigrants are a diverse group of people, with a wide range of political views. Bringing diverse perspectives to local elections will help to ensure that the best ideas are heard and considered.