Certified Welcoming
Strong communities intentionally connect and include people of all backgrounds. As places look to harness the wealth and vibrancy that comes from diverse talents and a global workforce, truly welcoming places can set themselves apart.
Certified Welcoming is a formal designation for cities and counties that have created policies and programs reflecting their values and commitment to immigrant inclusion. This innovative program assesses city and county governments on their efforts to include and welcome immigrants in all areas of civic, social, and economic life in their communities.
With a Certified Welcoming designation, communities distinguish their local efforts, build a competitive advantage, and gain access to opportunities to share their welcoming practices on a regional, national, and global stage.
Visit the Certified Welcoming website to learn more:
Certified Welcoming Places
As of 2023, 18 cities and counties across the U.S. are Certified Welcoming:
City of Baltimore
City of Boise
City of Charlotte
City of Dallas
City of Dayton
City of Detroit
City of Erie
City of Lancaster
City of Louisville
City of Nashua
City of Philadelphia
City of Pittsburgh
City of Portland
City of San Jose
City of Toledo
Lucas County, Ohio
Montgomery County
Salt Lake County, Utah
The Welcoming Standard
The Welcoming Standard serves as the backbone of the Certified Welcoming program. It outlines the core of what it means for a community to be welcoming and sets out the policies, programs, and partnerships that give communities the welcoming edge.
There are seven categories that comprise the Welcoming Standard, each of which have core and additional requirements. In order for communities to achieve Certified Welcoming status, they must meet the core requirements within each category, which are:
- Government and Community Leadership
- Equitable Access
- Civic Engagement
- Connected Communities
- Education
- Economic Development
- Safe Communities
Learn more about what it means to be a welcoming place through the Welcoming Standard.