Media Contact: Mario Moreno, 202-383-5994
June 3, 2014
Forum, Bethlehem Project Support First Annual Immigrant Heritage Month
Nationwide Effort to Highlight Immigrant Impact
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Immigration Forum and the Bethlehem Project are pleased to participate in the first Immigrant Heritage Month this month.
The initiative, organized by Welcome.us, includes individual, organizational and business partners across the country who will share inspirational immigrant stories and reflect on the critical role of immigrants and immigration in our nation’s history and future.
The Forum’s Bethlehem Project already has helped thousands of eligible immigrant employees at more than 70 businesses in six cities become citizens and integrate more into the workplace, community and economy.
“Immigrants are the foundation of our nation, and our future is brighter for having hardworking new immigrants contributing to our communities,” said Mark Falzone, Deputy Director of the National Immigration Forum. “The Bethlehem Project provides a win-win situation for both businesses and employees. Companies build loyalty when they open the door to citizenship, and employees have a better chance to pursue the same American dream as so many before them.”
“In the United States, with a good idea and enough hard work, anything is possible,” said Tolu Olubunmi, Executive Director of Welcome.us. “American success is a result of our many distinct experiences, not in spite of it. Our goal is to encourage as many Americans as possible to tell the story of how they first felt welcomed to the American experience. Our history and stories will help determine our future.”
Join the conversation on Twitter using #welcomeus.
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Welcome.us, a new non-profit organization, is dedicated to celebrating a United States that is fueled by immigrants from around the world. Led by Tolu Olubunmi, an immigrant and DREAMer, the organization is focused on launching the Welcome.us campaign and establishing Immigrant Heritage Month to honor the way in which America and the immigrants who have built our country are linked in a shared, productive history. Welcome.us is supported by FWD.us, which was founded by Mark Zuckerberg, Marissa Mayer, Reid Hoffman, Bill Gates, Padmasree Warrior, and other teach leaders. The Honorary Board for Immigrant Heritage Month includes: Congressman Valadao, Congressman Crowley, Congressman Honda, Congressman Polis, Jared Leto, Ressell Simmons, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Bolton, and Kenny G. Learn more about the campaign and Immigrant Heritage Month by visiting Welcome.us.
