Boston has become the first city in Massachusetts to earn a Certified Welcoming designation, receiving a 4-star rating from the national nonprofit Welcoming America for its work supporting immigrant inclusion and belonging. Mayor Michelle Wu, the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement (MOIA), and Welcoming America announced the recognition on Monday, calling it a marker of Boston’s standing as a national leader in policies and programs that help immigrant residents participate and thrive.
“Boston has been shaped by generations of immigrants seeking a better future and working hard to build the city we enjoy today,” Wu said. She credited the immigrant advancement office, community partners, and neighborhood and cultural leaders with work to “expand civic engagement, support our communities, and make Boston a city where everyone belongs.”
To earn the designation, Boston had to meet the criteria across all seven areas of the Welcoming Standard, Welcoming America’s roadmap for inclusive communities: government and community leadership, equitable access, civic engagement, connected communities, education, economic development, and safe communities. The certification follows a comprehensive review of city policies, programs, and practices, and fewer than 50 cities and counties nationwide hold it…