Salem Earns 'Welcoming America' Designation For Immigrant Inclusion

SALEM, MA — Salem has received a 3-star Certified "Welcoming Community" — a recognition Mayor Dominick Pangallo announced at a U.S. citizenship naturalization ceremony at the House of the Seven Gables.

The announcement came as the city prepared to mark the start of national Welcoming Week.

Certified Welcoming is a formal designation for cities and counties that have created policies and programs reflecting a commitment to immigrant inclusion and belonging, according to Welcoming America. The program launched in 2017, and the star designation system was introduced in 2023.

Its framework, known as the Welcoming Standard, is used by local governments as a roadmap for building what the organization describes as objectively welcoming communities.

Salem becomes the third Massachusetts community to achieve Certified Welcoming status, after Boston and Worcester.

The city said the certification carries added meaning this year as Salem marks 400 years since its founding.

"In Salem, our values and our actions are inspired by our unique history," Pangallo said. "We're a city of immigrants and travelers — of new citizens and new ideas. Salem is a place where, for four centuries now, people from across the world have put down roots and raised up families.

"This year, as we mark 400 years since Salem's founding, this certification is all the more meaningful. It's a moment to recommit ourselves to being a city that works for and welcomes all. Salem's story is the American story: of a place constantly shaped, for the better, by the addition of new chapters."

Welcoming America Executive Director Rachel Perić said the designation reflects a broad local effort.

"Salem is showing what a stronger, safer, more prosperous community looks like when local government, schools, and community organizations are intentional about inclusion," Perić said. "This designation reflects that commitment — and we're proud to recognize Salem as a Certified Welcoming community."

To earn the 3-star designation, Salem city departments took part in a voluntary audit of their work to include and support immigrant residents in the city's civic, social, and economic life.

The city said community partners, including North Shore Community Development Coalition, the House of the Seven Gables, and Welcoming Immigrant Network, also helped Salem achieve the designation through their work welcoming and empowering new residents.