This Note presents a case study of Utica, New York to argue that policies and practices that welcome and support refugees offer a synergistic solution to the capitalist-induced vulnerabilities of declining American cities. An influx of refugees can spearhead urban renewal and reinvestment in shrinking cities suffering from population loss, dying economies, derelict infrastructure, eroding tax bases, deficient social services, and crime. Reciprocally, shrinking cities can offer unique benefits for refugees if they adopt integration programs and supportive services like those in Utica. Part I is an overview of shrinking cities in the United States. Part II presents Utica, New York as a case study for the virtuous cycle other declining towns could experience if they embrace, instead of reject, refugees. Part III distills why this pairing could be the panacea for shrinking cities’ suffering and refugees’ needs. Finally, Part IV proposes policies and practices to expand and support refugee resettlement in shrinking cities and argues that initiatives should be implemented at the federal, state, and local levels in ways that unify communities rather than perpetuate existing divisions.

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