Great Immigrants

Congratulations to the 2020 Great Immigrants honorees!

“Great Immigrants have come from different backgrounds and have pursued different worthwhile goals, but collectively, they have shared a desire to become citizens and have made our democratic society stronger. For all of their efforts, we salute them.” –– Vartan Gregorian, president of Carnegie Corporation of New York

Every Fourth of July since 2006, Carnegie Corporation of New York has celebrated the exemplary contributions of immigrants to American life. In 2020, the Corporation honors 38 naturalized citizens who have enriched and strengthened our nation and our democracy through their contributions and actions.

A third of this year’s honorees are helping the global health crisis recovery efforts by serving as nurses and doctors, as well as scientists who are striving to find effective treatments and a vaccine. We also honor clergy and community leaders who are providing food and vital services to those in need. Overall, the 2020 Great Immigrants represent 35 countries of origin and a wide range of contributions to American life, from human rights and computer science to art, business, education, health care, journalism, music, politics, religion, research, and sports.

The Great Immigrants initiative is a tribute to the legacy of Andrew Carnegie, a Scottish immigrant who rose from poverty to become a leading industrialist. Carnegie founded more than 20 philanthropic organizations, including the Corporation, a grantmaking foundation established in 1911 to advance the causes of democracy, education, and international peace. 

The 2020 honorees, who join more than 600 outstanding immigrants honored by the Corporation since 2006, are recognized with a full-page public service announcement in the New York Times and a social media tribute on the Fourth of July. Please share via Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter @CarnegieCorp using the hashtag #GreatImmigrants.