Honoring Houston’s Diversity Through Immigrant Heritage Month

June was Immigrant Heritage Month in the US. Hear what some members of Houston’s immigrant community have to say about their experiences.

This June communities across the country celebrated “Immigrant Heritage Month.” That includes Houston, which is one of the nation’s most diverse places.

The White House honored Houston this week for creating a welcoming environment for newcomers.  Houston Public Media intern Karla Leyja recently talked with immigrants here about their experience and brings us this audio postcard.

Here are some highlights:


“You know, I went to many countries and I have a good education—my background is good, my family is good, we never did any, you know, negative things. We are educated persons, we are nice—everything’s nice. So when I saw this city, the people I saw—I said ‘These are the number one. I have to follow them.’”


“I just love the idea that there’s a month to celebrate diversity and to celebrate the immigrants because as you know, history, this is a country of freedom, of different cultures, religion, and beliefs and different things. So, especially here in Houston, to have that opportunity to be who you are, and continue with your professional life, and to grow as a person, to achieve your goals—to get your goals—that’s what this country’s all about. To celebrate and embrace what this country has to offer us. “


“We are actually celebrating our culture here, and the city of Houston, it just sounds to me like I live in my country. [It’s] exactly the same sound to me. But it’s just a different community, a different people, and different experiences every day.”