Boston Earns Prestigious 4-Star Certified Welcoming Status for Immigrant Inclusion

The City of Boston has been recognized as a "national leader in creating policies, programs, and practices that support immigrant inclusion and belonging."

Boston Recognized as a Certified Welcoming Community

Welcoming America, a national non-profit organization that "helps local communities and governments build inclusive policies to ensure immigrants and all residents feel they belong," has recognized Boston with a "4-star welcoming designation."

Daniel Valdez, Deputy Director of Welcoming America, said in a statement on the group's website that "Boston's work behind this designation, across city government, community organizations, and immigrant residents who shaped it, is what welcoming looks like in practice."

"We're proud to recognize Boston as the first Certified Welcoming community in Massachusetts and excited to see what comes next," Valdez said.

Mayor Wu and Local Leaders Highlight Inclusion Efforts

Boston has publicly declared itself a sanctuary city on several occasions, and Mayor Michelle Wu's battles with ICE are the stuff that legends are made of.

Boston Earns National Designation For Aiding And Including Immigrants

In a statement included on the City of Boston website, Wu said, "Boston has been shaped by generations of immigrants seeking a better future and working hard to build the city we enjoy today."

"I'm proud of the work of our Office for Immigrant Advancement, community partners, and neighborhood and cultural leaders to expand civic engagement, support our communities, and make Boston a city where everyone belongs," Wu said.

Chicago, Illinois and San Jose, California, have also achieved a four-star rating from Welcoming America. San Francisco earned the highest designation, a five-star rating.

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Ongoing National and Local Policy Debates

Trump Administration Border Czar Tom Homan and Wu have had some classic verbal smackdowns over illegal immigrants and Wu's refusal to cooperate with ICE.

READ MORE: Homan Says Governor Healey and Mayor Wu "Should Be Ashamed"

Wu is threatening to use the Freedom of Information Act to contact private landlords and discourage them from renting parking spaces to ICE. Wu, the Massachusetts Legislature, and the Healey Administration are attempting to keep ICE from apprehending illegal aliens in certain areas of Massachusetts.