Somali Immigration

Presented ByDesiree FirleAdria HaggRebecca MeyersJordan Pierce

Somali immigrants and refugeesSomali refugees began arriving in the US in 1993

Currently 50,000 Somalis living in Minnesota

Majority of Somalis are Sunni Muslims

Islam is Somali culture: sometimes contradicts American cultureIslamic law says a man may have more than one wifeIslamic law states that a man is duty bound to support his children

Somalis live in multi-generational homes and often refer to themselves as clan groups

Civil War in SomaliaWar history

Fall of the government in 1991 as President Barre was thrown out by clan-based forces.Continued conflict throughout the 1990’s, the UN leaves in 1995. Intense war eruption again in 2006.Mass migration from Mogadishu, two-thirds of the people abandoned the city. (Lindley, 2009)Over one million people have been displaced since 2006 and over three million in need of basic food and aid within the country. (Guhua-Sapir, 2009)

Immigration Act of 1990 ImpactIncrease immigration to the US

Total immigration 540,000 to 700,000

Immigration DisbursementFamily Sponsored: 465,000Employment Based: 140,000Spouses/Children of legalized immigrant: 55,000Special Diversity Transition Programs: 40,000

Skilled worker levels

Priority workers: extraordinary abilityProfessors, researchers, extraordinary ability in the arts, sciences, business, education or athletics. Given first preference.

Advanced degreeSkilled workers: have at least two years of trainingSpecial immigrants: those who could not immigrant through relatives or employment status

Ministers, alien employees of US governmentInvestors: investing at least $1 million in US business

Immigration Act impact on Somali Immigrants

Pro’s

Spurs scientific innovation and achievement within the United States which will benefit many people (Shusterman, 1991).

Fight xenophobia within the United States (Migrants and Asylum Seekers).

As investors Somali immigrants can enter the USEleven new investments will generate over $8 billion and create 100,000 jobs in the US (Lee, 1992).

The number of family visa’s are increased leading to reunification of Somali families.

Asylum seekers are able to obtain temporary protection, those Somali immigrants who are not here legally and do not have refugee status can still petition to stay without returning to their country (Sudan Tribune, 2009).

Immigration Act impact on Somali Immigrants

Con’s

Increasing immigration will make it more difficult for American citizens to get jobs (Council on Foreign Relations)

Interracial fear of immigrationBlack workers have been seen as lazy, untrainable, and dangerous. Businesses push hard for specific immigrants who will work for lower wages. It leads to abusive and unfair treatment of foreigners.

Stigma related society among minorities

Environmental threats of immigration

Immigration StatsGraph of immigration numbers of

Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Sudan 1990-2005Immigration to the United States based on

Continents 1990-2005

19901991

19921993

19941995

19961997

19981999

20002001

20022003

20042005

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

Somalia EthiopiaKenyaSudan

19901991

19921993

19941995

19961997

19981999

20002001

20022003

20042005

0

200,000

400,000

600,000

800,000

1,000,000

1,200,000

1,400,000

EuropeAsiaAfricaOceaniaNamericaSamerica

Current refugee stats and aidInformation obtained from United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 2010.

Refugees

There are 9.2 million refugees in the world

The majority come from Afghanistan, Iraq, and Somalia

Refugee leave their home and reside in refugee camps until they return to their country or are permanently resettled in another country. Resettling in a new country is their last option.

United States aid

The United States allows less than 1% of the total refugee population into the country every year.

About 79,000 yearly

Given one month of support for rent, transportation, and food. After one month they go on TANF. Also given training, through NGO’s, in English, American culture, and how to use simple appliances.

Can apply for their green card one year after US residency.

Normalization of immigrationWhat will help Somalia immigration

Better channels for legalization of Somali immigrants, giving them citizenship earlier. Multilingual resources and legalization mentor from their home country.

Maintain current immigration levels

Sufficient English training for refugees.Training for unskilled workers who go through the lottery.

Less categorization about why the immigrants are here.