Mayor Katie Wilson on Thursday proclaimed June as Immigrant Heritage Month in Seattle, joining community leaders and advocates in celebrating the contributions of immigrants and refugees while highlighting a new $4 million investment in services and programs supporting immigrant communities.
The proclamation comes as Seattle welcomes visitors for the FIFA World Cup and amid ongoing concerns about the impact of federal immigration policies on immigrant families.
At an event hosted by the Seattle Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, Acting Director Cuc Vu outlined the city’s 2026 funding strategy, which includes expanded legal defense services, grants for community organizations, support for immigrant-owned businesses and workers, and assistance for low-income immigrant families.
“The City of Seattle’s Immigrant Heritage Month proclamation, in tandem with OIRA’s 2026 funding strategy, are direct acknowledgements that immigrants are the bedrock, and future of Seattle,” Vu said. “OIRA’s $4 million investment into a vibrant ecosystem of immigrant-serving organizations was the result of tireless community advocacy, and the office’s approach was designed with the understanding that the present reality is painful to navigate for immigrants and refugees in Seattle.”
Among the initiatives, the city will expand funding for the Legal Defense Network, provide grants to nearly 30 community organizations offering aid and Know Your Rights resources, and invest in programs supporting immigrant entrepreneurs, workers and students.
Community advocates said the investments will help address growing needs among immigrant residents.
“Immigrant Heritage Month reminds us that immigrants are integral to our communities, our schools, and our workplaces,” said Roxana Norouzi, executive director of OneAmerica. “Our belonging is not conditional—it does not depend on where we were born, the languages we speak, or the documents we carry. We belong because we are part of the fabric of Seattle.”
