3 days Ago By Natalie Jones
Anne Arundel County is pursuing a nationally recognized standard for communities with policies and programs aimed at creating a welcoming environment for immigrants. Known as a Certified Welcoming designation, it is given by Welcoming America, a nonprofit based in Georgia that assesses a jurisdiction’s efforts to involve immigrants in their communities. Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman, a Democrat, said the county’s immigrant communities, particularly families and relatives of people who are not documented, have a fear of deportation, especially at large or government-connected events.
“This is not about the election, this is not about ICE, this is not about the border — this is about Anne Arundel County government welcoming the people that are here and making sure that they are fully a part of our communities and our society,” he said during a news conference Tuesday at the Michael E. Busch Annapolis Library. The 10-month process to achieve the Certified Welcoming designation will include evaluations of Anne Arundel’s policies and practices across seven different areas: civic engagement, connected communities, economic development, education, equitable access, government and community leadership and safe communities.
Anne Arundel County would be the third government in Maryland to earn the designation, joining Baltimore City and Montgomery County. There are 25 communities across the United States with the designation including Dallas, Detroit, New Orleans and Philadelphia, among others. Right now, it’s too early in the process to say what areas the county needs to improve in, though, according to Alison Flores, director of the county’s Office for Hispanic/Latino and Multicultural Affairs.
Related Articles Achieving the Certified Welcoming designation, however, will position the county as a “magnet” for global companies and entrepreneurs that prioritize diversity and inclusion, said Amy Gowan, president and CEO of Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation. “It’s clear that diversity in the workforce isn’t just desirable — it’s a game changer,” she said. “Diverse teams are better equipped to innovate, solve problems and compete in the global market, plus they can communicate with multicultural consumers and audiences in ways that make our businesses more successful.
” Gabriela Hernandez Marquez, an undocumented immigrant who has lived in Anne Arundel County for 19 years, said immigrant families are dealing with fear and uncertainty as they face policies that “seek to dehumanize us and paint us as strangers.” “However, let me be clear: we belong here, we are here and we are here to stay,” she said through an interpreter at the news conference. “Our history is interwoven with the future of this county and we will not go anywhere,” Marquez added.
“We know that living here in a county that has supported us and has demonstrated this support will ensure that we continue through these difficult times ahead.” Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley, who immigrated to the United States more than 30 years ago and became a citizen in 2009, said the city stands behind the county’s efforts and recognizes the hard work that immigrants do to build communities and strengthen the economy. “To be designated as a welcoming community alerts people of all races, religions, national origins, sexual orientation, gender identity that we are making a choice,” he said.
“We are choosing compassion over cruelty, fairness over injustice, dignity over disrespect, safety over fear and love over hate.”.
