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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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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