A colorful mural in my Certified Welcoming City

[Mousetoescamper]

I've wanted to get some shots of this mural for a while and finally did so yesterday during a long camera-in-hand walk around the neighborhood. Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was recently designated a certified welcoming city, which comes as no surprise to those of us who call Lancaster City our home. Visitors to our beautiful city will encounter people from all over the planet.

The City of Lancaster, in partnership with many community benefit organizations and businesses, is proud to be a designated Certified Welcoming City by Welcoming America. The City of Lancaster is now part of a leading network of Certified Welcoming Cities across the nation.

Lancaster City boasts a 300-year long history of welcoming, and is recognized as “America’s refugee capital” for resettling 20 times more refugees per capita than the rest of the nation.

“We are so proud to certify what we, and the world, knows about Lancaster--that we’re America’s refugee capital. We know that refugees and immigrants make our community and our economy stronger. We know that we are better together, and we are proud to embody what I think is truly American value of welcoming the stranger.”

Danene Sorace
Mayor, City of Lancaster

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. How very cool, my dear Mousetoescamper! LOVE the photos as well as the sentiments.

A Certified Welcoming City! I had never heard of such a thing, but I'm thrilled to read about it.

We need way more positive ideas like this one, to welcome the immigrants who bring so much to all of us.

Thank you!

[Mousetoescamper]

2. Thanks and you're welcome! We're also known as "America's refugee capital"

[Goddessartist]

3. This is so wonderful and beautiful!

Thank you so much for sharing this! I had no idea that there were Certified Welcoming Cities! Bravo!

[Mousetoescamper]

4. Thanks and you're welcome!

[MLAA]

5. Beautiful! Lancaster is wonderful!

[Mousetoescamper]

6. Thanks!

[Diamond_Dog]

7. Wow, that is SO cool!

A city that proudly states that it welcomes refugees and immigrants. I’m jealous!

Beautiful artwork and I love the sentiment.

[Mousetoescamper]

8. There's been some backlash since the city announced the designation and a new ordinance,

unanimously passed by our Democratic city council, to ensure “the provision of city services without regard to refugee or immigration status.” The ordinance wouldn't shield anyone from federal immigration enforcement and doesn't violate federal law. Unfortunately, two of our three county commissioners and three of our senators are MAGA, and they're claiming that the ordinance is a “sanctuary city” measure and a "dangerously lax immigration policy." As expected, they're stoking fears of human trafficking and fentanyl coming into the city.