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BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Welcoming America, a national non-profit that grades cities on how well they support immigrants, has given Boston a four-star certified welcoming designation, a first for a city in the Commonwealth.
Boston received the ranking for its work nationwide in providing things like education, equitable access, and safe communities to incoming immigrants.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu celebrated the achievement while kicking off the annual Welcome Week in Boston, joined by city officials and community leaders.
“Someone back in our family line, made that brave decision to leave the home that was the only one they ever knew, to take a bet on this country,” Mayor Wu said. “Boston is a home for everyone, and we will not back down.”
Board Treasurer with Welcoming America, John Grossman, noted the diversity within the Boston Public School system as a big reason behind the four-star rating.
“Those students and their families chose Boston as a place to make their lives, as a home where they can thrive, because Boston is, at its core, welcoming,” said Grossman. “We are safest, only when we treat everyone in the community with dignity and respect.”
Mayor Wu said her next goal is to move up to a five-star rating.
More information can be found on the Welcoming America website here.
WBZ NewsRadio's Kyle Bray (@KyleBrayWBZ) reports.