If you didn't already know, June is Immigrant Heritage Month!
In celebration of this, celebrities like Bellamy Young (Scandal), Javier Muñoz (Hamilton), and Matt McGorry (Orange Is The New Black) are reflecting on their family’s immigrant heritage and encouraging others to share their own stories with the hashtag #CelebrateImmigrants.
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Here are some of their powerful stories and words of encouragement:
Immigrants are guiding lights.
For #ImmigrantHeritageMonth I am honoring my older brother, who was brought to this country when he was 6. Thank you for your guidance & for inspiring me to be the best version of myself. Today is also his birthday! Feliz cumpleaños bro, we #CelebrateImmigrants & celebrate you. https://t.co/MulHpXaDd3
They persevere.
My dad fled to the US with his mom when he was 16 from Iran when the revolution began -they only spoke Farsi -had no family here -no financial support -NO MONEY My dad is now a business owner and easily supports my family 💜💜 #CelebrateImmigrants #IStandWithImmigrants
They understand sacrifice.
40 yrs ago a scholarship led my Dad to small town Vincennes, IN from Hong Kong. Thousands of miles away from his parents, brothers & sisters, he studied hard to ensure his success became an achievement his entire family could be proud of. You did it Dad. #CelebrateImmigrants https://t.co/drV5fQW2vp
They take risks.
Everyday, I'm grateful that my great-great-grandmother took a risk and decided to come to America sight unseen (and without seeing her family ever again) from Sicily. I see this in other immigrant stories today and I #celebrateimmigrants. https://t.co/kpqkCEZVUv
They're worth fighting for.
Today I am proud to #CelebrateImmigrants! But while we celebrate immigrants we must also fight for immigrants. To every single mom who has had their child taken from them at the border I am fighting for you. #FamiliesBelongTogether https://t.co/ZMkyhVqdGx
They're proud.
I am proud to be Korean-American. I am proud of knowing more than one language. I am proud of having two cultures. I am proud of my parents for raising me in a country foreign to them. I am proud to be who I am today. #ImmigrantHeritageMonth #CelebrateImmigrants
They have dreams and aspirations.
Proud to be an Honduran-American & to love both cultures. My mom came here with the clothes on her back to give my a better life & opportunity. I became the first to graduate college in the states & that was all she ever wanted ❤️ #ImmigrantHeritageMonth #CelebrateImmigrants https://t.co/ybwa1rXZIL
They work hard.
Happy #ImmigrantHeritageMonth to my delightful mum, who moved a continent away from all her friends + family, put her career on hold, & most importantly looked adorable at her naturalization ceremony. Tapadh leat for everything🏴🇺🇸 #CelebrateImmigrants https://t.co/dssYoAn3dI
They're mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, partners, and friends.
Honoring my mother for #ImmigrantHeritageMonth for taking herself out of her life in Bolivia and embarking on a journey to bring her kids to the America in pursuit of a better future. She provided an example that led us through work + college despite the circumstances! 👏🏽 👏🏽 https://t.co/Efa5pkQ6OM
And finally, they just want a better life for themselves and their families.
Millions of Americans have a long family history of immigration. Whether fleeing poverty, violence or oppression, America’s a place for a new life for so many. To those who are striving to be part of the American Dream today, we welcome you with open arms! #CelebrateImmigrants https://t.co/UMeT5xWVqi