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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New Orleans becomes first Certified Welcoming city in Louisiana

The Certified Welcoming seal and text that reads "City of New Orleans: A Certified Welcoming place for all of us to call home." is overlaid on a photo of New Orlean's cityscape

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

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New Report Shows Immigrants in Greater Salem Paid Over $200 Million in Taxes and Held $500 Million in Spending Power in 2019

Immigrants in Greater Salem made up 14.3 percent of business owners, generated $41.3 million in business income, and helped create and preserve 800 manufacturing jobs. SALEM, MA — A new report, New Americans in Greater Salem, released today by the American Immigration Council — in partnership with The Welcome Immigrant Network (WIN) and the City…

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Celebrating inclusive values: A look back at Welcoming Week 2023

Graphic for Welcoming Week 2023 that says "We are Welcomers"

For 11 years, communities around the world have been at the forefront of Welcoming Week to showcase their common values of belonging, equity, and inclusion as they strive to be more welcoming places for all. This year was no different. From September 8-17, communities celebrated their diversity, advanced inclusion, and brought people of different backgrounds…

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Boise, Idaho redesignated as Certified Welcoming by Welcoming America

Certified Welcoming logo overlaid on a background featuring a photo of Boise, Idaho. Text on the image says "City of Boise, A Certified Welcoming place for all of us to call home."

Welcoming America, a national nonprofit organization, announces the redesignation of the City of Boise in Idaho as a Certified Welcoming place. Rachel Perić, executive director of Welcoming America, said: “We are thrilled to redesignate Boise as a Certified Welcoming city. As a place that has invested in making sure that immigrant and non-immigrant neighbors can…

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New Report Shows Immigrants in Santa Clara County Paid Over $22.0 Billion in Taxes and Held $45.0 Billion in Spending Power in 2021

Immigrants in Santa Clara County made up 50.3 percent of business owners and generated $1.5 billion in business income. Santa Clara County, CA — A new report, New Americans In Santa Clara County, released today by the American Immigration Council — in partnership with the Santa Clara County Office of Immigrant Relations — underscores the…

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This Welcoming Week, Congress must find a permanent solution for Dreamers

As Welcoming Week is underway this week across the world, we in the United States are dismayed by the latest ruling on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Although it does not impact current recipients, this decision, when it is appealed, will go before the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals and continues to…

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New Report Shows Immigrants in Allen County Paid Over $160.0 Million in Taxes and Held $496.0 Million in Spending Power in 2019

Immigrants in Allen County contributed $1.9 billion to the county’s GDP ALLEN COUNTY, IN — A new report, New Americans in Allen County, released today by the American Immigration Council — in partnership with Amani Family Services, Downtown Fort Wayne, and Greater Fort Wayne Inc. — underscores the crucial role immigrants play in the region’s…

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Welcoming Week 2023 kicks off with 500 events globally, Little Amal’s U.S. tour

The annual campaign Welcoming Week, led by U.S.-based nonprofit Welcoming America kicks off this September 8-17 through more than 500 events happening worldwide, including 68 events taking place in Australia, Canada, Mexico, and New Zealand, as well as in partnership with 16 global organizations. Events aim to celebrate diversity, advance inclusion, and nurture a deeper…

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La Semana de Bienvenida se expande a México con la colaboración de Sin Fronteras

English Press Release Welcoming America, una organización nacional sin fines de lucro con base en Decatur, Georgia, junto con Sin Fronteras, una galardonada organización sin fines de lucro con sede en la Ciudad de México, anuncian su colaboración para ampliar la celebración anual de la Semana de Bienvenida, que tendrá lugar del 8 al 17…

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