Welcoming America designates the City of Charlotte as Certified Welcoming, first in the Southeast

### DECATUR, GA (May 19, 2022) — Welcoming America announces today the City of Charlotte in North Carolina as Certified Welcoming, the first in the state and in the southeast U.S. region. The announcement is taking place at the Welcoming Interactive annual conference at the Westin Charlotte, which is being hosted by Welcoming America in…

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Celebrating 10 years of Welcoming Week with a new identity, announcing 2022 theme

This September, Welcoming America and its network of 300+ nonprofit and local government members — as well as a broader coalition of partner organizations — will ring in the 10th anniversary of Welcoming Week. For the past decade, the annual celebration has taken place in communities through events, ceremonies, and other actions to commemorate the…

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School boards in focus: sustaining democracy and pluralism by taking a step back

Through the pandemic, schools became one of the toughest places to navigate for students, parents, educators, and school board members. Over time, school board meetings became tense spaces where people released their frustrations on issues ranging from mask mandates to the role of race in student curricula, sometimes ending in school board members being removed…

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Statement on Uniting for Ukraine

Yesterday, President Biden announced Uniting for Ukraine, an entry program for people from Ukraine seeking refuge in the United States on a temporary basis known as humanitarian parole. It requires the help of a sponsor in the United States to provide initial financial and other support for basic needs. While we welcome news that people…

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Welcoming Network members receive over $1 million to strengthen welcoming infrastructure for Afghan arrivals

Welcoming America is pleased to announce $1.25 million in grants from the Open Society Foundations to select local governments that support community efforts to meet the needs of new Afghan arrivals. Rachel Perić, executive director of Welcoming America, co-chaired the selection committee with Rich André of the American Immigration Council. Each grantee will receive amounts…

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Announcing the plenary speakers for 2022 Welcoming Interactive

Welcoming America is thrilled to announce the three speakers to present at the plenary sessions of the 2022 Welcoming Interactive taking place in-person in Charlotte, North Carolina at the Westin hotel from May 18-20: Jerry Hawkins is the Executive Director of Dallas Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (DTRHT) in Texas. As part of a national…

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Welcoming America designates the City of Detroit as Certified Welcoming, the first in Michigan

DECATUR, GA — Welcoming America announces today the City of Detroit, Michigan as Certified Welcoming, the first in the Wolverine State to achieve the designation. Rachel Perić, executive director of Welcoming America, said: “I’m especially proud to congratulate Detroit on its designation as a Certified Welcoming city. As a city shaped by migration, and as…

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Welcoming America designates the City of San José as Certified Welcoming

DECATUR, GA — Welcoming America announces today the City of San José, California, as Certified Welcoming, the second in the Golden State to achieve the status. Rachel Perić, executive director of Welcoming America, said: “As the largest city in our nation’s center of technology and innovation, San José’s designation as Certified Welcoming sends a strong…

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New Report Shows Immigrants in Montgomery County Paid Over $219 Million in Taxes and Held Over $562 Million in Spending Power in 2019

Immigrants in Montgomery County make up 7.1% of business owners and 10.9% of STEM workers DAYTON, OH – A new report, New Americans in Montgomery and the City of Dayton, by New American Economy — now the American Immigration Council — in partnership with the City of Dayton Human Relations Council (HRC), underscores the crucial role immigrants play in the…

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Meet the #WomenOfWelcoming 2022

For Women’s History Month, we are highlighting some individuals that have dedicated their lives to building more inclusive and equitable communities where all people can feel as though they belong, including immigrants. They come from diverse backgrounds and work in fields ranging from inclusion experts to local government work. These women represent what it means…

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