The City of Burien has announced the return of its annual National Welcoming Week from September 13-22, an initiative aimed at celebrating and uniting the community's diverse populace—including immigrants and refugees. As a part of this observance, the Burien City Council is set to declare this period officially as Welcoming Week during their meeting on September 9, as reported on the city's website.

Welcoming Week's theme this year, "We're All In," symbolizes the inclusive spirit of the event which is open to all residents and visitors; a community event is scheduled for September 14, in Town Square Park from 11 a.m to 2 p.m featuring a showcase of cultural performances and a gamut of activities including games, arts and crafts, and a resource fair Lorraine Chachere, City of Burien Economic Development Specialist and lead organizer of Welcoming Burien stated in the city's announcement, "The Welcoming Burien event allows our residents, businesses, and community organizations to come together so that we can cultivate stronger, more connected, and joyful communities."

Since joining Welcoming America in 2021, Burien has positioned itself as a pioneering city in the region for celebrating the contributions of immigrants with events like Welcoming Week. Chachere emphasized Burien's dedication to immigrants' inclusion in all aspects of civic life, as per the city's announcement.

Additionally, the upcoming Welcoming Burien event provides a platform for attendees to engage with the City’s Community Connectors, representatives from Spanish, Vietnamese, and Amharic speaking communities and for them to learn about City services from City staff. "Our Welcoming Burien event truly showcases who we are as a City," said Burien City Manager Adolfo Bailon highlighting the significance of community events in creating vibrant inclusive spaces where diversity is celebrated, according to a statement obtained by the City of Burien.