Supporting Immigrant Communities
We are Certified Welcoming
The City of Champaign a Certified Welcoming place, becoming the only municipality in Illinois to achieve this distinction. In 2022, Champaign participated in Welcoming America’s comprehensive evaluation process and is now one of 20 other municipalities in the United States who have earned the Certified Welcoming designation.
Certified Welcoming is a formal designation by Welcoming America for cities and counties that have created policies and programs that reflect their values and commitment to immigrant inclusion and belonging. The program assesses local governments against the Welcoming Standard on their efforts to include and welcome immigrants in all areas of civic, social, and economic life in their communities. With a Certified Welcoming designation, communities celebrate their local inclusivity efforts, build a competitive advantage, and gain new opportunities to share their welcoming practices with others on a regional, national, and global stage.
Welcoming America’s assessment of Champaign’s welcoming efforts highlighted its strong and clear partnerships with community-based organizations, including the New American Welcome Center, which convene and share information about the immigrant communities. The Champaign County Economic Development Corporation was also noted for its commitment to ensuring immigrant-owned businesses have access to resources and tools to create, sustain, and grow their enterprises.
Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen said, “The Champaign community has a long history of welcoming immigrants with open arms and helping them to settle into our wonderfully diverse city. The City of Champaign embraces our newest residents and celebrates the different cultures and backgrounds that each brings to strengthen our community. I also want to recognize and thank all our residents and partner agencies who have helped make Champaign the incredibly diverse and welcoming community that so many of us choose to call home.”
In addition to being the first in Illinois to achieve the Certified Welcoming designation, Champaign is also the first to achieve it with a the 2-star designation under the new star system implemented by Welcoming America earlier this year. Far from being a “rating system,” the new Certified Welcoming star system creates a roadmap for communities to advance welcoming work with transparency and accountability.
About Welcoming America
Welcoming America is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that leads a movement of inclusive communities becoming more prosperous by ensuring everyone belongs. We believe that all people, including immigrants, are valued contributors and vital to the success of our communities and shared future.
Supporting Immigrant Communities
Champaign County is home to one of the largest immigrant populations in Illinois. In 2017, Champaign-Urbana was one of 25 communities nationwide selected for the Gateways for Growth Award to receive custom research from the New American Economy (NAE) on the demographic and economic impact of immigrants in Champaign County, as well as technical assistance from NAE and Welcoming America to support the planning process. Members of Champaign County’s immigrant communities, service providers, government, businesses, public sector institutions and faith communities worked together to create a plan for social, civic, and economic integration of the immigrant community.
The Champaign County Welcoming Plan recognizes the contributions of a growing immigrant community and the vital need to create an inclusive environment for all residents of the county. The Champaign County Welcoming Plan provides a framework to pursue a more equitable and inclusive future.
- 25,552 immigrants live in Champaign County. That is 12.2% of the population.
- 53.4% of immigrants in Champaign County entered the U.S. in 2010 or later.
- 31.6% of total population growth in the county is attributed to immigrants between 2015 and 2019.
- 31.9% of the foreign-born population in Champaign County are naturalized citizens.
- Champaign County was one of only nine counties in Illinois (out of 102) with a growing population between 2010 and 2019.
Sources: 1. US Census Bureau: ACS 5-Year Estimates (2015-2019, 2011-2015); ACS Single-Year Estimates (2019); 2. New American Economy: New Americans in Champaign County (2018); and 3. Champaign County Regional Planning Commission: Champaign County ACS Report (2021).
The New American Welcome Center at the University Y works to make our community a place where all immigrants can thrive and flourish. They do this by engaging local institutions and mobilizing community resources to ensure equitable access to services, economic opportunity, and meaningful belonging. NAWC signature programs include a multilingual helpline, immigration legal services, community navigators, and community bridge-building events.
Immigrant Services of Champaign-Urbana‘s purpose is to help immigrant families overcome their adversities and together build a future where their assets and talents fulfill their hopes and dreams. Family liaisons and community guides work with families to determine their needs. Support includes groceries, health supplies, household goods, baby & toddler items, transportation, and rent and utility assistance. Staff and volunteers also help families navigate to find resources, including securing medical care and available benefits, housing, jobs, English-as-a-Second-Language classes, legal assistance, and more.
including immigrants, are valued contributors and vital to the success of our communities and shared future.
Immigrant Welcome Award Ceremony and Celebration
The Cities of Champaign and Urbana, the CU Immigration Forum, and the Urbana Free Library are proud to co-sponsor the Immigrant Welcome Award Ceremony and Celebration. This event is held in conjunction with Welcoming Week, a national week of events that brings both immigrants and U.S.-born residents together in a spirit of unity and raises awareness of the benefits of fostering an inclusive society. In 2017, the Cities merged the Champaign-Urbana International Humanitarian Awards (CUIHA) with the Immigrant Welcome Award Ceremony, as a new collaborative way to celebrate the accomplishments of local residents and organizations who are positively impacting lives both here and around the world.
2024 Celebration
The 11th Annual Immigrant Welcome Awards Ceremony and Celebration was a resounding success, honoring outstanding individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the Champaign-Urbana community. The event featured Indian traditional dancing, food, and special guest speakers. The ceremony was a testament to the diversity and richness of the immigrant experience in the area and the importance of fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.
2024 Immigrant Welcome Award Recipients
- Business Leadership Award – BR Bikes & Repairs
- Community Impact Award – The Urbana Free Library
- Emergent Leader Award – Erika Daniela Vergara
- Immigrant Leadership Award – Helen Zhang
- Student Leadership Award – Jazmin Olivas
- The Claire Szoke Lifetime of Service Award – Gioconda Guerra Perez
Watch the 2024 Immigrant Welcome Awards Ceremony
