Los Angeles County Recognizes June 2025 as Refugee and Immigrant Heritage Awareness Month
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors this week approved a motion led by Chair Pro Tem and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis and co-authored by Third District Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath to proclaim June 2025 as Refugee and Immigrant Heritage Awareness Month. The motion honors the cultural, economic and social contributions of refugees and immigrants who have made Los Angeles County their home.
With more than 10 million residents, Los Angeles County is one of the most diverse regions in the nation and is home to over 3 million immigrants. For decades, refugees and immigrants fleeing violence, persecution, war and hardship have sought safety and opportunity in Los Angeles County.
“Los Angeles County is a mosaic of cultures, languages and lived experiences,” said Chair Pro Tem Solis. “By proclaiming June as Refugee and Immigrant Heritage Awareness Month, we are not only honoring the strength and resilience of those who have rebuilt their lives here, but also recommitting ourselves to being a place of refuge, dignity and opportunity for all.”
According to the California Department of Social Services, nearly 4,000 refugees have resettled in Los Angeles County over the past five years. Since the launch of the federal Uniting for Ukraine program in 2022, more than 16,000 Los Angeles County residents have signed on as financial supporters for Ukrainian newcomers. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services, which oversees local refugee assistance programs, operates the Refugee Employment Program. The program serves an average of 3,300 participants each month, providing job training, acculturation support and employment services to help refugees build stable, independent lives.
“For generations, immigrants and refugees from around the world have made Los Angeles County their home, sharing their heritage and shaping our communities. We stand with our immigrant and refugee neighbors and recognize that their resilience, culture, and contributions have enriched every part of our County,” said Supervisor Horvath. “By proclaiming June as Refugee and Immigrant Heritage Awareness Month, we uplift these stories and recommit to building a future where everyone belongs.”
Los Angeles County remains committed to creating an inclusive environment where immigrants are welcomed, supported and empowered to thrive. In 2017, the Board of Supervisors designated immigration as a board-directed priority. In April 2024, the Board adopted a Countywide Language Access Policy to ensure services are accessible to all residents, regardless of language spoken.
The County’s recognition of Refugee and Immigrant Heritage Awareness Month aligns with California’s annual Refugee Awareness Month and the United Nations’ World Refugee Day, observed on June 20. To commemorate the occasion, the Office of Immigrant Affairs within the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs, in collaboration with DPSS, the Refugee Forum of Los Angeles and community partners, will host a World Refugee Day celebration on June 20, 2025. The event will raise awareness, celebrate the contributions of immigrants and refugees, and connect individuals to services such as employment support, family reunification and public benefits enrollment.
Local organizations including Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, Church World Service, Interfaith Refugee and Immigration Service, International Rescue Committee, Uplift Charity and others continue to play a vital role in helping individuals and families rebuild their lives in Los Angeles County.
By embracing its diversity and supporting those seeking refuge and a better future, Los Angeles County continues to lead with compassion, inclusion and purpose.
