DETROIT — Detroit officially became a welcoming city for immigrants with the launch of an immigration task force that was introduced by city council members Raquel Castaneda-Lopez and Andre Spivey. The task force announced it was joining the national “Welcoming Cities and Counties” initiative, which is a project of Welcoming America. The city council passed a resolution that affirms Detroit is welcoming of immigrants. 

A statement from the resolution reads, “The Welcoming Detroit initiative aims to build cooperation, respect, and compassion among all in our city, including immigrants and non-immigrants alike.” 

Sept. 13-21 is National Welcoming Week, a nationwide event to bring together immigrants and U.S. born community members in a spirit of unity. On Sept. 15, elected officials and community leaders, including Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, gathered in Detroit to celebrate the resolution.