Building momentum: Welcoming America expands board with new members and appointments

Welcoming America is pleased to announce the new members of our board of directors, as well as changes in its leadership, effective immediately. New members of the board include: Alexandra Toma, Executive Director of the Peace & Security Funders Group Alexandra brings 20 years of leadership in politics, advocacy, and philanthropy to her role as…

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Statement on humanitarian funding and anti-immigration legislation

Welcoming America stands united with partners nationwide and the majority of Americans in opposing the Biden Administration’s consideration of the proposal by a radical minority of legislators tying funding for humanitarian assistance abroad to advance their extreme anti-immigrant agenda at home. As an organization committed to fostering communities where everyone belongs, we are deeply concerned…

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Refugee leaders selected for USA for UNHCR grant in Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas

December 8, 2023 — Nonprofits USA for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, Refugee Congress and Welcoming America announce the awardees of the Sparking Change grant: Derick Alimasi (TX) Masouda Basharat (OK) Bahati Kanyamanza (TX) Aisha Koroma (TX) Sara Louis-Ayo (LA) Niyonsaba Magnifique (TX) King Patrick Saah (LA) Sateza Safi (OK) Dauda Sesay (LA) Faridar Binti…

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New Report Shows Immigrants in the South Bend-Elkhart Region Paid Over $258 Million in Taxes and Held Over $783 Million in Spending Power in 2019

Despite making up 6.9% of the population, immigrants made up 9.3% of working-age people and 9.2% of STEM workers and entrepreneurs. SOUTH BEND, IN — A new report, New Americans in Elkhart, Marshall, and St. Joseph Counties, released today by the American Immigration Council — in partnership with the City of South Bend, South Bend–Elkhart…

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New Report Shows Immigrants in Santa Fe County Paid Over $122 Million in Taxes and Held Over $365 Million in Spending Power in 2019

Immigrants in Sante Fe County contributed $1.1 billion to the county’s gross domestic product (GDP), or 12.3%  in 2019. SANTA FE COUNTY, NM — A new report, New Americans in Santa Fe County, released today by the American Immigration Council and Welcoming America, in partnership with the City of Santa Fe’s Office of Economic Development…

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A shared humanity: Our statement on recent events in Gaza and Israel

Welcoming America envisions a world where all of us belong, thrive, and live safely in the place we call home, no matter where we come from. Last week, we shared a message of hope and encouragement in our monthly newsletter as the world witnessed suffering in the Middle East and escalating hate crimes globally. The…

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Champaign becomes first Certified Welcoming city in Illinois

Aerial image of Champaign, Illinois with the Certified Welcoming Seal and text that reads "City of Champaign: A Certified Welcoming place for all of us to call home"

Welcoming America, a national nonprofit organization, announces the City of Champaign as a Certified Welcoming place, the first in Illinois to achieve the designation. Rachel Perić, executive director of Welcoming America, said: “We are thrilled to recognize the City of Champaign in becoming a Certified Welcoming place, affirming its leadership in building policies and partnerships…

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Tulsa becomes first Certified Welcoming city in Oklahoma

Aerial photo of Tulsa, Oklahoma with the Certified Welcoming Seal and text that reads "City of Tulsa: A Certified Welcoming place for all of us to call home"

Welcoming America, a national nonprofit organization, announces the City of Tulsa as a Certified Welcoming place, the first in Oklahoma to achieve the designation. Rachel Perić, executive director of Welcoming America, said: “We are thrilled to recognize Tulsa in becoming a Certified Welcoming place, affirming its leadership in building policies and partnerships that enable all…

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From Afghanistan to Virginia: How Richmond welcomes refugees

Clients review the drivers manual during a class taught in Dari.

In 2016, a group of 30 Afghan women arrived at their local DMV office in Richmond, Virginia to take the learner’s permit test. When they arrived from Afghanistan a few years before, they didn’t know how to get a driver’s license and could not find information in their language. Kate Ayers, executive director of ReEstablish…

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