In a recent city council meeting, St. Louis Park solidified December 18 as International Migrants Day, aligning with the United Nations’ initiative to shed light on the complexities and contributions of migrants worldwide, the city announced on social media. With a proclamation that speaks to Minnesota’s rich immigrant history and current demographic landscape, the city’s leadership is emphasizing the importance of creating a welcoming environment for the nearly half a million immigrants who call Minnesota home.
The declaration presented by the city council cited both historical and present-day statistics, noting Minnesota’s deep migrant roots stretching back to the 1890s when a significant portion of Minnesotans were born abroad and today, immigrants hail from Mexico, Somalia, India, Ethiopia, Laos, and Thailand, among others, contributing to the state’s social and economic fabric, the city’s post outlined these facts in detail. However, the struggles faced by migrants are also underscored by the proclamation, acknowledging the dangers of exploitation and violence, with reported deaths and missing persons during migration, a somber reality for many in the quest for a better life…