Title
Recognizing the Month of June as Immigrant Heritage Month and Caribbean American Heritage Month in the City of Philadelphia.
Body
WHEREAS, Immigrants have had an extraordinary social and cultural influence on the United States of America, enriching the extraordinary character of our nation. Throughout the country’s history, immigrants have built dynamic communities, started families, served in the military and public life, grown successful businesses, and strengthened the American economy; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia is a proud city of immigrants. As of 2022, approximately 15.7% of the city's residents were born outside the United States-the highest share in over 80 years. This marks a significant increase from 2000, with the foreign-born population growing by 80% to around 246,600 individuals. The largest immigrant populations in Philadelphia originate from China, the Dominican Republic, India, Vietnam, Jamaica, Mexico, Haiti, Ukraine, South Korea, and Guatemala, reflecting the city’s rich cultural diversity and the vital role immigrants play in its demographic and economic growth; and
WHEREAS, More than a quarter of all Philadelphians in recent years-estimated at around 390,000 residents-were either immigrants or U.S. natives with immigrant parents, together comprising a population with significant potential to shape the city. They included nearly 76,000 children under age 18, or about 1 in 4 city children; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia is a city rich in linguistic diversity with 24% of residents speaking languages other than English at home, many of them speaking their foreign language(s) in addition to English and demonstrating multilingualism as an asset; and
WHEREAS, Immigrants have been tireless leaders not only securing their own rights and access to equal opportunity, but have also campaigned to create a fairer and more equitable society for all Americans; and
WHEREAS, Immigrant Heritage Month is a nationwide effort to gather and share the inspirational stories of immigrants in the United States and 2025 marks the 12th annual Immigrant Heritage Month. It is powered nationally by FWD.us and is part of an ongoing effort to empower immigrants and allies to share stories and drive action that demonstrate how immigration is good for our communities, economy and country. The celebration began in 2014, and in 2016, President Obama officially declared June as Immigrant Heritage Month in a national address. In, 2021 President Biden followed suit, and recognized June as Immigrant Heritage Month with a presidential proclamation on June 1, 2021; and
WHEREAS, This year, Immigrant Heritage Month is celebrated under the theme “Generations of Strength: Honoring the Past, Building the Future,” recognizing the legacy of past generations while empowering the next to continue shaping the future. This theme uplifts the resilience, contributions, and enduring impact of immigrant communities across time and celebrates the intergenerational efforts that continue to shape our city's vibrant future; and
WHEREAS, Caribbean Community in Philadelphia is the official Philadelphia partner agency of the National Caribbean American Heritage Month commemoration. In 2025, the theme is “Celebrating Our Contributions to American History, Culture and Life,” which honors 25 years of National Caribbean American Heritage Month celebrations and acknowledges the campaign to designate June as National Caribbean American Heritage Month since 2006. The Caribbean Community in Philadelphia will lead the 11th Annual Caribbean Heritage Day at The Discovery Center on June 20, 2025, and additional programs throughout the month including World Refugee Day at Love Park and Artes en las Calles - Fiesta de Verano at Esparanza; and
WHEREAS, Caribbean American leaders in Philadelphia play a significant role in fostering strong international relationships between Philadelphia and their sending countries, including Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Haiti, Antigua and Barbuda, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Vincent and the Grenadines; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia is home to many inspiring leaders of immigrant heritage who exemplify the values of service, resilience, and civic engagement. Among them are two City Councilmembers who serve as co-sponsors of this resolution: Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, an urban planner and public servant, who is the proud daughter of a mother from St. Vincent and the Grenadines; and Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad, a scientist, women’s rights advocate, and trailblazer as the first South Asian American from Bangladesh elected to Philadelphia City Council. Their leadership reflects the strength and diversity of Philadelphia’s immigrant communities and their essential role in shaping the city’s future; and
WHEREAS, Caribbean Americans have made significant contributions to the political landscape of the United States, with many trailblazers shaping public policy and representation at the highest levels of government. Notable women of Caribbean heritage in politics include: Shirley Chisholm, the first African American woman elected to Congress in 1968, born to Barbadian and Guyanese parents and known for her historic 1972 presidential campaign with the slogan “Unbought and Unbossed”; Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, daughter of Jamaican immigrants and successor to her mother, Dr. Una Clarke, who helped champion the designation of June as National Caribbean American Heritage Month; Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett, representative of the U.S. Virgin Islands and member of the Congressional Caribbean Caucus; and Assemblymember Michaelle C. Solages, the first person of Haitian descent elected to the New York State Assembly in 2012. Prominent men include Congressman Adriano Espaillat, the first Dominican American elected to the U.S. House of Representatives; Congressman Steven Horsford, the first African American to serve as State Senate Majority Leader in Nevada, born to a Trinidadian mother; and Marco Rubio, U.S. Senator from Florida since 2011 and son of Cuban immigrants, who currently serves as the U.S. Secretary of State, becoming the first Latino to hold that position; and
WHEREAS, On November 6, 2015, Philadelphia was honored as the Nation’s First World Heritage City by the international Organization of World Heritage Cities-a prestigious recognition of its rich history and global cultural significance. This year marks the 10th anniversary of that historic designation. Further demonstrating the City’s commitment to inclusion and global engagement, in 2023, Philadelphia was officially recognized as a Certified Welcoming City by Welcoming America, a national organization that supports local efforts to build inclusive and equitable communities. This designation affirms the City’s dedication to fostering belonging, inclusion, and opportunity for immigrants and all residents, reinforcing Philadelphia’s identity as a proud and proactive advocate for immigrant communities. Now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby recognizes the month of June as Immigrant Heritage Month and Caribbean American Heritage Month in the City of Philadelphia and celebrate the City’s unwavering commitment to being a welcoming place that celebrates its vibrant immigrant community.
End