IINE’s work of welcoming newcomers into the Commonwealth, while valuing and preserving their unique cultural contributions, is integral to the city’s growth, success, and identity as a city of belonging.
Today, 28% of Boston residents are immigrants, and many more are children of immigrants. For the thousands of individuals who come here each year—having fled persecution, war, famine, and climate disasters, and often arriving with little more than the clothes on their backs—Boston is a popular destination. They come here because of the family and friends that have already put down roots in Boston and because the city has affirmed its commitment to welcoming immigrants – by establishing the Mayor’s Office of New Bostonians—now the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement—to uplift the critical work of welcoming and supporting newcomers in 1998, and by electing Boston’s current mayor, Michelle Wu, the daughter of Chinese immigrants.
Providing refugees and immigrants with a strong foundation of support means new arrivals have the opportunity to integrate into our communities, achieve self-sufficiency, and meaningfully contribute to Boston’s culture and economy.
IINE is proud of the critical role the organization has played in building Boston into the welcoming, diverse city it is today. We invite you to join us in celebrating this legacy. Explore our blog and video series “100 Years of Welcome: Commemorating IINE’s Boston Centennial,” and stay tuned for events throughout the year, including an interactive “Centennial Walk” journeying through 100 years of service and the Centennial Golden Door Award Gala in 2025, a time-honored celebration which will for the first-time honor the IINE community for its contribution to American society and to shaping Boston’s vibrant diversity.