Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed

The city of Atlanta is pledging to smooth the transition for newly-arrived immigrants and refugees, including opening an office of multicultural affairs, Mayor Kasim Reed said Wednesday.

Standing in front of the Center for Civil and Human Rights, Mayor Reed called the city a haven for people from other countries.

"Inclusiveness is a part of Atlanta's DNA," said Reed. "We're known around the world for being the cradle of the civil rights movement."

The city's initiatives stem from a set of 20 recommendations that were made from the Welcoming Atlanta Group, which the mayor appointed earlier this year. The recommendations are aimed to help integrate and support immigrants, and include expanding affordable housing options and training law enforcement.

According to the American Community Survey, the foreign-born population in the city grew by more than 22 percent from 2002-2012.

Atlanta is one of 41 cities across the nation participating in the Welcoming Cities and Counties initiative.