Boston has officially earned a 4-star Certified Welcoming designation from the national nonprofit Welcoming America, cementing its status as the first city in Massachusetts to achieve the milestone. Announced by Mayor Michelle Wu alongside the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement (MOIA) and Welcoming America, the recognition highlights the city’s policies, programs, and practices dedicated to fostering immigrant inclusion and belonging.
A First for Massachusetts in America’s 250th Year
Achieving this 4-star status places Boston among a group of fewer than 50 cities and counties nationwide that hold the designation. The certification process requires municipalities to meet the criteria across seven areas of the Welcoming Standard: government and community leadership, equitable access, civic engagement, connected communities, education, economic development, and safe communities.
“Boston has been shaped by generations of immigrants seeking a better future and working hard to build the city we enjoy today,” Mayor Wu stated following the announcement. She credited MOIA, community partners, and neighborhood and cultural leaders for expanding civic engagement and making Boston a city where everyone belongs.
Daniel Valdez, deputy director of Welcoming America, noted the symbolic resonance of the achievement. “Boston’s work behind this designation, across city government, community organizations, and immigrant residents who shaped it, is what welcoming looks like in practice,” Valdez said. “It’s fitting that this comes in America’s 250th year, here in the birthplace of the American Revolution.”
Operationalizing Inclusion Through MOIA’s Core Initiatives
City officials emphasize that the 4-star rating reflects working systems and partnerships rather than symbolism. Mariangely Solis, Boston’s Chief of Equity and Inclusion, pointed out that language access, economic opportunity, and belonging are embedded into how the city serves residents.
As part of the comprehensive evaluation, MOIA highlighted several key investments:
- Support for community organizations that provide free and low-cost immigration legal assistance.
- English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programs.
- Leadership development initiatives such as the Immigrants Lead Boston leadership program.
- Youth-focused programs like the Immigrant Youth Advancement program, which connects young residents with mentorship, career exploration and workforce opportunities.
- Neighborhood outreach through Community Office Hours that bring city resources into neighborhoods through Boston Public Library branches.
This work serves to directly back MOIA’s wider “You Belong Here” initiative, which is a municipal campaign designed to make every local resident feel appreciated, welcomed, and ready to take part in shaping Boston’s future.
Looking Ahead to Welcoming Week
The city intends to celebrate this milestone during Welcoming Week, which is set to run from September 10 to 19. Both in-person gatherings and virtual sessions will showcase the seven categories of the Welcoming Standard alongside economic, health, educational, and artistic programs tied to municipal services.
Courtney White, interim executive director of MOIA, stressed that the designation celebrates progress while strengthening the commitment to ensuring every immigrant resident can access resources and participate fully. “Achieving this 4-star Certified Welcoming status is the result of a collaborative effort across City government and with immigrant communities who shared their experiences, priorities, and vision for Boston’s future,” White noted.
