Snohomish County Council recognizes Immigrant Heritage Month
Published 1:30 am Friday, May 29, 2026
EVERETT — The Snohomish County Council recognized June as Immigrant Heritage Month with a resolution passed on Tuesday.
About 19% of the county’s population is foreign-born, the resolution says, playing a vital role in its workforce and economy.
“Our nation has been shaped by individuals and families who have risked much in search of opportunity and the promise of a better future in the United States,” the resolution says.
In 2014, June was first recognized as National Immigrant Heritage Month, backed by the I Stand With Immigrants/I Am An Immigrant Initiative and elected officials at the time.
It gives everyone a chance to explore their heritage, “share their stories and drive action that demonstrate how immigration is good for our communities, economy and country,” the initiative’s website says.
On Tuesday, members of the immigrant community spoke on the resolution, including Van Dinh-Kuno, executive director of Refugee & Immigrant Services Northwest.
“I had the opportunity to arrive in this country out of the horrible ordeal my family had to go through,” she said. “Eleven days in the boat in Pacific Ocean. We got rescued by the U.S. Navy.”
Dinh-Kuno escaped Vietnam in 1975 with her family after North Vietnamese forces captured South Vietnam’s capital Saigon. She was 17.
“My story is one of the million stories from the refugee and immigrants come to this country,” Dinh-Kuno said. “We’re grateful for the great nation accepting us, allow us to be part of the fabric of the nation, and particular fabric of Snohomish County.”
Now, for 35 years, Dinh-Kuno has led Refugee & Immigrant Services Northwest, where she helps refugees, immigrants and their families become self-sufficient, healthy and contributing members of society, the organization’s website says.
Business owner Abdoulaye Touray grew up in France and Gambia. He immigrated to the U.S. on a student visa knowing he wanted to be an entrepreneur, he said Tuesday.
“There’s no country like this, no matter what is happening now,” Touray said. “There’s nothing even close to this country when it comes to whatever you want to accomplish in life, your dreams.”
Council member Nate Nehring brought the resolution forward on Tuesday.
“We’ve heard today just a few stories from all around the world of people who have grown up in different places and coming to the country seeking a better life, seeking the American Dream. I think it’s very inspiring,” he said. “When I think about America 250 I think about how important it is to make sure that we preserve the American Dream.”
Taylor Scott Richmond: 425-339-3046; taylor.richmond@heraldnet.com; X: @BTayOkay
