Saint Paul City Council Honors Contributions of Immigrants, Refugees, and Caribbean Americans

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10, 2026

Saint Paul City Council Honors Contributions of Immigrants, Refugees, and Caribbean Americans

Saint Paul, MN - Today, the Saint Paul City Council adopted RES 26-934 recognizing Immigrant Heritage Month, World Refugee Day, and Caribbean American Heritage Month. The resolution honors the contributions immigrants, refugees, and Caribbean Americans have made to Saint Paul and reaffirms the city's longstanding commitment to being a welcoming place for all residents.

Saint Paul has long been a place where people from around the world have come to build new lives, raise families, start businesses, and contribute to their communities. Today, more than 60,000 immigrants call Saint Paul home, and one in five city residents was born outside the United States. More than 115 languages are spoken in homes across the city, reflecting the diversity that continues to shape and strengthen Saint Paul.

The resolution recognizes the significant civic, cultural, and economic contributions immigrants, refugees, and their descendants have made and continue to make to Saint Paul. It also acknowledges the resilience and determination of those who have left their homes in search of safety, opportunity, and a better future.

The Saint Paul City Council encourages residents to join in recognizing Immigrant Heritage Month, World Refugee Day, and Caribbean American Heritage Month and to celebrate the many ways immigrant, refugee, and Caribbean American communities continue to strengthen Saint Paul.

Councilmember Statements

"Immigrants, refugees, and Caribbean Americans are an essential part of what makes Saint Paul strong. Their contributions enrich our neighborhoods, strengthen our economy, and shape the vibrant, diverse city we are proud to call home. As we celebrate these communities, we also reaffirm our commitment to ensuring every resident feels welcomed, valued, and connected to opportunity," said Council President Rebecca Noecker, Ward 2.

"It is a great day to honor the strength, courage, and perseverance of refugees and immigrants. As a proud daughter of Hmong refugees, I grew up listening to my parents' and elders' stories of extraordinary resilience, survival, and sacrifice. Refugees and immigrants are a vibrant part of our city. As a Councilmember in the East Side, where we have deep pride in our diversity and unity, I am proud to support this resolution asserting our shared values that Saint Paul is a welcoming home to all refugees and immigrants and that we are ecstatic in celebrating the heritage of our communities, such as June being Caribbean American Heritage Month," said Council Vice President Nelsie Yang, Ward 6.

"Saint Paul has always been made better by the immigrants, refugees, and Caribbean Americans who make this city their home. In a year in which our neighbors have been under attack like never before, Saint Paulites from all walks of life know that we are at our best when we embrace and celebrate our diversity. Within City Hall, we remain committed to doing everything we can to ensure that Saint Paul is a city in which all immigrants, refugees, and Caribbean Americans know they are welcome and wanted," said Councilmember Molly Coleman, Ward 4.

"Saint Paul's entire history, its every success, has been written in part by immigrants. In 1926 or 2026, our city is better because of our immigrant neighbors," said Councilmember Saura Jost, Ward 3.

"This Immigrant Heritage Month, World Refugee Day, and Caribbean American Heritage Month is a reminder of the vitality that exists in our city. No matter how you come to this country, you belong here," said Councilmember HwaJeong Kim, Ward 5.

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