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When Michigan welcomes immigrants, Michigan thrives.
When it comes to immigration, it’s easy to let differences separate us. At Welcoming Michigan, we seek to build mutual respect among foreign-born and U.S.-born people who call Michigan home today. Michigan’s immigrants account for large and growing shares of the economy and the electorate. Being a welcoming state is in the best interest of all Michiganders.

Building immigrant-friendly communities is our goal.
Welcoming Michigan focuses on helping people who were born in this country understand and appreciate their new Michigan neighbors. We believe immigrants bring new energy, new ideas, and a new commitment to a better life that benefits us all.

Plan a Project

If you are interested in joining a Welcoming Committee in one of the four Welcoming Michigan focus communities, please contact Lillie Wolff  (for Van Buren County in SW MI) or Christine Sauvé (for Hamtramck, Sterling Heights, and Chadsey Condon - Detroit). Welcoming Committees plan Welcoming Michigan public engagement events. If you do not live, work, or worship in one of these communities, but would like to help plan a Welcoming presentation or other Welcoming-related project, please contact Lillie or Christine for support in making your vision become a reality.

Put Up a Poster

Raise Your Hand!

You can download a PDF mini-poster for your bulletin board or refrigerator here!
You can also cut out a wallet-size version of your own pledge card from the same PDF. 

Take the Pledge by filling out the form below.

Read a Book

This is the Welcoming Michigan recommended reading list of books on immigrants and immigrants. We will be adding to it over time, so check back for additions. These books are great for neighborhood or community book clubs!

Send a Picture

Do you have a photograph of what being welcoming means to you? This could be a photo of family, friends, co-workers, or fellow community members.

If you would like to share a photo, please fill out the form below, and attach your photo! 

Your photos will appear on this web page only, for the purpose of building community among Welcoming Michigan supporters.

Attach Your Photo in jpeg, or .tif file Format Here.

Thank you! 

Tell Your Story

Did you or your family immigrate or migrate to Michigan? What were the joys and sorrows that were part of that process? Have you ever felt different or like an outsider? What helped you feel more included? Have you had a positive experience of being welcomed as a newcomer to Michigan? — Tell us more!

If you would like to share a story with Welcoming Michigan, please fill out the form below, and type your story into the message box!

Your story will appear on the Welcoming Michigan website only (without any identifying information), for the purpose of building community among Welcoming Michigan supporters. Your story will not be shared in any other manner without your permission.

Thank you!

Watch a Film

This is the Welcoming Michigan recommended film list on immigrants and immigrants. We will be adding to it over time, so check back for additions. These films are great for neighborhood or community film-watching clubs!

Wear a Button

Attend an event and receive a Welcoming Michigan button! We also have lapel pins available for business professionals. Please email Lillie (lwolff@lsscm.org) in SW MI or Christine in SE MI (csauve@lsscm.org) with your name and address, and we will deliver or mail you your very own Welcoming button for free!

Write a Letter

Write a letter to the editor or an opinion piece for your local newspaper about the Welcoming Michigan initiative. Your letter can focus on the initiative itself or an activity associated with the initiative. You could also write a letter in response to an article in the paper that illustrates how immigrants are or aren’t welcomed in your community.

Most newspapers have guidelines for how to direct your letter or opinion piece, and a general word limit (usually, they range from 100 to 150 words). Newspapers will not print anonymous letters so be sure to include your full name, address, and phone number. Most newspapers only print your name and city as part of your letter, but they usually call you to verify that you indeed wrote the letter that was submitted. Most papers will not print your letter if it was already printed in another publication.

Here are some Suggested Talking Points:

• Our country has a proud tradition of welcoming immigrants. We live up to our most fundamental values when we welcome newcomers into our communities.

• Immigrants have been integral to our history and continue to be central to our economy. Immigrants feed the state of Michigan.

• People come to Michigan to work and build a new life for their families. Immigrants are our community members. Immigrants want the same things that everyone else wants: a good job, a good education system for our children, and a better future.