Chula Vista certified as a ‘welcoming’ city — the first in California

Chula Vista has become the first city in the state to be certified by a national nonprofit as a “welcoming city,” a designation that recognizes the city’s commitment to the inclusion of immigrants.

The designation was granted by Welcoming America, which works with municipalities to promote inclusive communities, following what the city said was a rigorous process that included an extensive review of city-wide efforts that support immigrants in areas such as education, health care and public safety.

The recognition was celebrated Tuesday with the raising of a flag at City Hall. The flag reads, in part: “A Certified Welcoming City.”

“I’m so proud of our staff, community leaders and partner agencies for contributing to efforts that support and celebrate our immigrant communities,” Mayor Mary Casillas Salas said in a statement.

According to nonprofit National Civic League, Chula Vista has one of the highest proportions of immigrant residents in the U.S., with more than 30 percent of its population born outside the U.S. About 270,000 residents live in the South Bay city.

In 2016, about 13 percent of immigrants in Chula Vista were entrepreneurs and almost 24 percent of the demographic had a bachelor’s or higher degree, according to the New American Economy, known as NAE.

“As a border community, Chula Vista’s commitment to creating an inclusive environment is a model for other pragmatic leaders who want their communities to engage in the global economy and ensure that residents of all backgrounds — including immigrants — can thrive and belong,” said Rachel Peric, executive director of Welcoming America.

The nonprofit’s designation, which differs from the label some cities give themselves via resolutions that are mostly symbolic, was touted as a competitive advantage that could attract a global workforce and businesses whose values embrace inclusion.

Pursuing the designation was the first task the city’s Human Relations Commission took on after the City Council re-established the group in 2017.

“The Human Relations Commission is committed to this important effort to demonstrate how the city of Chula Vista welcomes immigrants and refugees in our community,” said Paola Martinez-Montes, chair of the commission.

Throughout the certification process, the city identified “opportunities for improvements,” which the city already is considering, such as using tools to help residents translate City Council agendas to other languages, city spokeswoman Anne Steinberger said.

Welcoming America launched the certification program in 2017.