Over ten local communities have been selected for the Gateways for Growth Challenge, aimed at enhancing immigrant inclusion and support across the United States.
WASHINGTON, D.C. & Decatur, GA — On December 15, 2025, the American Immigration Council and Welcoming America announced the selection of over ten local communities to receive awards as part of Round VI of the Gateways for Growth Challenge (G4G). This initiative aims to provide tailored research, technical assistance, and planning support to help communities develop strategies that promote success and inclusion for all residents, including immigrants.
The 2026 awardees represent a diverse array of urban and rural communities across ten states, showcasing the extensive efforts underway to foster welcoming environments led by local governments, nonprofits, chambers of commerce, and community coalitions. Notable communities selected for this round include:
Arlington County, Virginia
Charlotte, North Carolina
Durham, North Carolina
Fort Bend County, Texas
Johnson County, Kansas
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Mahoning County, Ohio
St. Louis, Missouri
Wabash County, Indiana
“For nearly a decade, the Gateways for Growth Challenge has helped local communities quantify the impact of their immigrant populations and invest in welcoming policies and programs,” said Rich André, Director of State and Local Initiatives at the American Immigration Council. “We are excited to work with the new cohort in creating opportunity for all residents.”
Molly Hilligoss, senior network director of Welcoming America, emphasized the importance of local leadership in fostering inclusive communities. “This cohort represents local leaders who are doing the day-to-day work of making their communities places where everyone can participate and succeed. We’re proud to support them as they turn their welcoming values into action.”
Since its inception in 2016, the Gateways for Growth Challenge has supported over 75 localities across 37 states. Participating communities have successfully developed welcoming plans that address critical issues such as language access, workforce development, civic participation, and social cohesion. Many have also passed welcoming resolutions, launched new programs, joined the broader Welcoming Network, and achieved Certified Welcoming status—a national recognition for communities that meet established benchmarks for inclusion and welcoming.
For more information about the Gateways for Growth initiative, visit gatewaysforgrowth.org.
About the Gateways for Growth Challenge: The Gateways for Growth Challenge (G4G) is a competitive opportunity for localities to receive research support and technical assistance from the American Immigration Council and Welcoming America to improve immigrant inclusion in their communities. Learn more at gatewaysforgrowth.org.
About Welcoming America: Welcoming America is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization leading a movement to create inclusive communities that thrive by ensuring everyone belongs. Through the Welcoming Network, the organization works to transform systems and culture by providing communities with the necessary roadmap to create welcoming policies and share innovative approaches to inclusion. Learn more at welcomingamerica.org.
About the American Immigration Council: The American Immigration Council aims to strengthen America by shaping public perception and policy regarding immigrants and immigration. The Council advocates for a fair and just immigration system that opens doors to those in need of protection while harnessing the energy and skills that immigrants bring. The organization employs a multifaceted approach to advance change through litigation, research, legislative and administrative advocacy, and communications. Follow them on Bluesky @immcouncil.org and on Instagram @immcouncil.
According to American Immigration Council.