Philly recognized for 'Welcoming Spirit' toward immigrants

Mayor Jim Kenney poses with representatives of the team of Mexican immigrants that will compete in the PHL International Unity Cup, an inaugural soccer tournament that starts this September across the city.
Brian Hickey/PhillyVoice

Philadelphia is up for an award that recognizes cities for being welcoming toward immigrants.

The City of Brotherly Love is one of five finalists for the "Most Welcoming Spirit" award, which is given out by Define American, a nonprofit that attempts to "shift the conversation about immigrants, identity, and citizenship" in the United States.


RELATED: Immigrants excited as field set for PHL Unity Cup soccer tourney in Philadelphia


Here's why Philly was chose as a finalist, according to the organization:

The city of Philadelphia held a Welcoming Week Bar and Food crawl to highlight international contributions to the city’s culinary scene. They also recognized immigrant-owned businesses, and held an International Unity Soccer tournament.

The other finalists are: Charlotte, North Carolina; Fargo, North Dakota; Atlanta, Georgia; Anchorage, Alaska.

Voting is open from Dec. 5-19. You can vote for Philadelphia here.