King County stands with immigrant communities as Council marks Welcoming Week, Latino/a/e Heritage Month

September 15, 2026

Against a national backdrop of intensified immigration enforcement and growing anxiety among immigrant families, the King County Council on Tuesday reaffirmed that King County will remain a welcoming home for immigrants and refugees. Councilmembers proclaimed Welcoming Week and Latino/a/e Heritage Month, recognizing the history, culture and contributions of Latino communities while reiterating the County’s commitment to serve all residents regardless of immigration status.

King County Councilmembers Teresa Mosqueda and Jorge L. Barón led the full council Tuesday in the two separate proclamations to mark the occasions.

“Whether a newly arrived immigrant or someone who has had family in King County for generations – King County celebrates you in this month and through these proclamations,” Mosqueda said. “These commemorate our independence, struggle, resistance and resilience, and honor those who built our communities, strengthened our workplaces, and have grown the labor movement. Here in Martin Luther King County, we will continue working to ensure that every family can live with dignity, opportunity, and security.”

Councilmembers proclaimed Sept. 10-19 as Welcoming Week, joining a global movement that affirms the belief that all people, including immigrants and refugees, belong and are valued. King County has committed to protecting the rights of immigrant and refugee residents and providing government services to all people, regardless of their immigration status, national origin, or language.

Kirkland and Kent were recently recognized as Certified Welcoming by Welcoming America, a national nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, through a rigorous review of policies and practices.

During the same meeting, Mosqueda and Barón led their colleagues in proclaiming Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 as Latino/a/e Heritage Month, celebrating the long and rich history of Latino culture not only in King County but across the nation. Latino residents account for about 11% of King County’s population, bringing vital contributions to the cultural, economic, and political life of the region. Sept. 15 was chosen as the start of the monthlong celebration as it is the anniversary of the 1821 independence declarations of five Latin American countries, while Mexico, Chile, and Belize celebrate their independence days on September 16, September 18, and September 21, respectively.

“With our actions today, we are honoring the richness of our local communities,” Barón said. “Latino/a/e Heritage Month highlights the contributions, accomplishments, influence, and rich history of our Latine family, friends, and neighbors. Through Welcoming Week, we are joining people across the world in declaring that immigrants and refugees belong. I’m proud to join my colleagues in making this important declaration of support for these values.”

Councilmembers were joined for the presentation by King County Immigrant & Refugee Commission Co-Chair Maha Roy; Kent Mayor Dana Ralph; Tim Kniffin from World Relief, and El Centro de La Raza’s Child Development Center Director Hilda Magaña

Read the Welcoming Week proclamation:

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, Welcoming Week is an annual global movement that affirms the belief that all people, including immigrants and refugees, belong and are valued; and

WHEREAS, King County is one of the most vibrant and rapidly growing regions in the Pacific Northwest, now home to approximately 2.4 million residents as of 2025—a 22% increase since 2010—reflecting the energy, ambition, and resilience of the people who choose to call this place home; and

WHEREAS, King County has affirmed that it is a Welcoming County and is committed to protecting the rights of immigrant and refugee residents and providing government services to all people, regardless of their immigration status, national origin, or language; and

WHEREAS, King County is home to two cities—Kirkland and Kent—that were recently recognized as Certified Welcoming by Welcoming America, a national nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, through a rigorous review of policies and practices;

WHEREAS, Welcoming Week will be held on September 10 to 19 this year; and

WHEREAS, cities across our county will be holding events during Welcoming Week—from SeaTac to Redmond, Bellevue to Shoreline, Issaquah to Seattle, and beyond—celebrating the cultural and economic diversity that make up the fabric of King County;

NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Metropolitan King County Council and the King County Executive, proclaim the week of September 10 to 19, 2026, as

WELCOMING WEEK

in King County and encourage all residents to find common ground with our neighbors across the different cultures and perspectives that make our region vibrant; join in celebrating the contributions of immigrant and refugee community members; participate in Welcoming Week events; and advance our shared commitment to building a welcoming, equitable, resilient, and inclusive region for all.

DATED this FIFTEENTH day of SEPTEMBER, 2026.

Read the Latino/a/e Heritage Month proclamation:

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, our country’s Latino/a/e heritage reaches back more than five centuries—when the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, Latino/a/e civilization was already established in what is now Florida and the Caribbean, as well as other parts of our continent; and

WHEREAS, since that time, Latino/a/e residents have been a consistent and vital influence in the history and culture of the United States, Washington State, and King County; and

WHEREAS, September 15 was chosen as the starting point for the celebration for Latino/a/e Heritage Month because it is the anniversary of the 1821 independence declarations in five Latin American countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua), and Mexico, Chile, and Belize celebrate their independence days on September 16, September 18, and September 21, respectively; and

WHEREAS, people of Latino/a/e ancestry make up about 20 percent of our nation’s total population, and about 11 percent of the population of King County; and

WHEREAS, the cultural, economic, and political influences of Latino/a/e members and communities in King County and the Pacific Northwest can be seen and appreciated in all aspects of life, as business owners, agricultural workers and farmers, professionals, chefs, educators, elected officials, students, gifted artists, musicians, and other active members of our community; and

WHEREAS, across all walks of life, the Latino/a/e community is a vital part of the cultural, economic, and political life of our region, and young people of Latino/a/e ancestry continue to invest in this region with their talents and ideals, making our community culturally rich and forward thinking;

NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Metropolitan King County Council, proclaim September 15 to October 15, 2026, as

LATINO/A/E HERITAGE MONTH

in King County and encourage all county residents to join us in celebrating the many contributions people of Latino/a/e heritage bring to our community.

DATED this FIFTEENTH day of SEPTEMBER, 2026.