DEED Marks Immigrant Integration Day

St. Paul – Governor Tim Walz declared today as Immigrant Integration Day in Minnesota. Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development DEED Commissioner Steve Grove and Assistant Commissioner Anisa Hajimumin marked today’s declaration by recognizing the achievements of New Americans and calling for greater integration of immigrants and refugees in all aspects of Minnesota life.

“Immigrants are not just important to Minnesota’s economy, they are vital - driving our population growth and contributing to industries across Minnesota,” said DEED Commissioner Steve Grove. “But immigrants’ contributions go far beyond the economic ones. New Americans revitalize our culture as a state.”

“Integration of immigrants and refugees is an essential part of building a more equitable society,” said DEED Assistant Commissioner for Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Anisa Hajimumin. “Integration means ensuring immigrants are a part of our state’s cultural, economic and political structures. It means shared opportunity, access and prosperity – for all Minnesotans.”

In today’s proclamation, Governor Walz recognized the contributions of immigrants to Minnesota’s history, culture and economy. The Governor emphasized that integrating new immigrants develops new relationships and strengthens the social and economic capital of communities throughout the state. His proclamation also acknowledged the need for integration to ensure that immigrant communities have opportunities to achieve their dreams and feel welcomed and embraced. The Governor called integration a key component in creating an economically sound and culturally vibrant state.

Governor Walz recognized 26 Minnesota businesses and organizations for their commitment to the integration and success of immigrant communities in Minnesota. The following businesses and organizations will receive certificates of recognition:

• African Development Center, Minneapolis

• African Economic Development Solutions/Little Africa, St. Paul

• Beauty Well, St. Paul

• Center for Asian and Pacific Islanders (CAPI), Brooklyn Center 

• CLUES, St. Paul

• Coalition of Asian American Leaders, St. Paul

• Emerge Community Development, Minneapolis

• Global Language Connections, Minneapolis

• Hmong American Partnership, St. Paul

• Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, St. Paul

• International Institute of Minnesota, St. Paul

• Jigjiga Center, Minneapolis 

• Latino Economic Development Center, St. Paul

• Mercado Central, Minneapolis

• Mercy Center, Minneapolis

• Minneapolis Foundation, Minneapolis

• Minnesota Africans United, Minneapolis

• Minnesota Interfaith Coalition on Immigration, Minneapolis

• Mshale, Minneapolis

• Muqdisho Meat and Grocery, St. Cloud

• New American Development Center, Minneapolis

• New Vision Foundation, Minneapolis

• Oromo Community of Minnesota, St. Paul

• Sahan Journal, St. Paul

• Vietnamese Social Services, St. Paul

• Youthprise, Minneapolis

DEED is the state's principal economic development agency, promoting business recruitment, expansion and retention, workforce development, international trade and community development. For more details about the agency and its services, visit the DEED website or follow us on Twitter.