8 New American Gateways For
Immigrants
By Neema P. Roshania, Kiplinger.com
Jun 29th, 2010
The economic recovery may be
slow and uncertain. Immigration remains a hot button political issue. But
there's one positive trend that will keep benefiting smaller cities in the
years ahead: Their growing appeal to immigrant poppulations.
Though New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago and other large U.S. cities remain hubs for immigrants,
newcomers from abroad are increasingly settling in smaller communities across
the U.S., lured by a lower cost of living, more job opportunities, and a support
structure of fellow immigrants. In return, these communities get a rejuvenated
work force and a consumer base.
Here are eight rapidly emerging gateway communities for
immigrants. All are likely to remain popular with foreign newcomers, despite
stepped-up enforcement of federal immigration laws. Some may surprise you.
Benton/Washington Counties,
Ark.
Home to large employers such as Wal-Mart in Bentonville and Tyson Foods in nearby Springdale, these northwest Arkansas counties have seen enormous
growth in their immigrant populations over the past decade.
Foreign born residents now make up more than 20% of Springdale's population. The area's chicken farms, construction
industry, corporate headquarters, and low cost of housing remain a strong
magnet.
With Hispanics accounting for most of the increase, the
region is seeing more ethnic bakeries, restaurants, media outlets, and other
businesses. The once nearly homogeneous local school districts have added
English as a second language to their curricula in addition to special programs
to help involve parents in their children's education.
Portland and Salem, Ore.
(Marion/Multnomah counties)
The growth of the area's technology industry draws highly skilled immigrant workers
to northwest Oregon, where they're joining earlier arrivals -- refugees from
Southeast Asia, Africa, eastern Europe and Russia.
Fairfax County, Va.
In this large suburban county bordering Washington, D.C., immigrants make up almost 30% of the population. The
recession hasn't been felt here as much as it has in other parts of the country
and construction, and service jobs are still plentiful. Fairfax County is across the Potomac River from the nation's
capital, which, along with other large cities, has long been a draw for
immigrants.
There's also a strong immigrant presence among service
workers, especially in health care, restaurants, and cleaning services. Nearly
40% of the region's immigrant population arrived within the past decade. Many
own their own businesses. And they are encouraging more family members and
friends from the old country to join them.
Shelbyville, Tenn. (Bedford County)
Though the foreign born population in Shelbyville hovers around the national average, the small city and its
environs have become a mecca for refugees from Egypt, Myanmar (formerly known
as Burma), and Somalia. There are jobs in Shelbyville's food processing plants and other factories.
Cape Coral, Fla. (Lee County)
Southwest Florida's Gulf Coast has strong agriculture and service sectors. In
2000, Cape Coral's foreign born population was 8.7%, relatively low compared
with national average of 11.1%. In the past decade it has increased by about
250% -- putting it above the national average.
Boise, Id. (Ada County)
Attracted to the area by job opportunities in agriculture
and an affordable cost of living, Boise's immigrant population has climbed by more than 50% over the
past decade.
Gwinnett County, Ga.
The foreign born population in Gwinnett County has more than doubled since 2000, and now represents about
25% of the county's total population. Drawn to the area by an abundance of jobs
in the service sector and the low cost of housing, the immigrants are mostly
Hispanic. They are carving out a livelihood in a region where blacks have
traditionally been the most visible minority. Gwinnett also has one of the
highest rates of illegal immigration in the U.S. -- authorities estimate that
half of all foreign born residents of the county are unauthorized.
Raleigh-Durham-Cary, N.C.
(Wake/Durham/Chatham Cos.)
North Carolina's 394% immigrant growth rate in the 1990s was the fastest
among Southern states, and the trend has continued in the 21st century. The Raleigh-Durham area has been hub to much of this growth.
The draw? Affordable housing and jobs at Research Triangle Park -- one of the country's
largest technology development centers -- as well as in the construction and
service sectors. The recession and stricter enforcement of immigration laws in
the Tar Heel State are slowing immigration growth -- at least for now. But many
experts think migration could pick up again as the economy recovers.
Sources: Census Bureau,
University of Southern California, Moody's Economy.com
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