{"id":214,"date":"2013-11-01T08:50:13","date_gmt":"2013-11-01T13:50:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ace\/?page_id=214"},"modified":"2013-11-01T08:50:13","modified_gmt":"2013-11-01T13:50:13","slug":"curi_immigration","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ace\/curi_immigration\/","title":{"rendered":"After the Welcome Center: Renewing Conversations About Immigration and Diversity in Faribault"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Maria_Curi_Internship\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Taryn Arbeiter \u201912 & Maria Ward \u201912<\/strong>
\nProfessor Katherine Tegtmeyer Pak<\/strong><\/p>\n

St. Olaf College, Department of Political Science
\nAugust 15, 2011<\/p>\n

Abstract<\/h2>\n

This report presents ideas from Faribault, Minnesota about how increased immigration and diversity challenge public services and community relations. \u00a0Immigration has changed Faribault, Minnesota\u2019s population dramatically in recent years.\u00a0 In 2010, nearly one-fifth of local residents identified as non-white, up from only two percent twenty years earlier. Various sources indicate that most of those persons are recent immigrants and their family members.\u00a0 For ten of the last twenty years, the Welcome Center offered advice and support to immigrant and refugee newcomers about how to access local services and build a productive life in Faribault.\u00a0 With the Welcome Center\u2019s closing in December 2010, Faribault finds itself at a turning point in responding to the arrival of so many new residents. Featuring insights gathered through interviews St. Olaf College students conducted with Faribault community leaders in March and April 2011, this report seeks to open new conversations and paths of action \u201cafter the Welcome Center,\u201d about how Faribault can best incorporate its newest residents.<\/p>\n

Contents<\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. Introduction<\/strong>
    \nIntroduces the intent and scope of the report.<\/li>\n
  2. Immigration and diversity in Minnesota<\/strong>
    \nPresents statistics on recent demographic change due to immigration; historical discussion of immigration trends; and a brief explanation of why immigrants move to Minnesota.<\/li>\n
  3. Immigration and diversity in Faribault<\/strong>
    \nDescribes the trends in immigration to Faribault in the last two decades and how the city has responded to the resulting changes in its population.\u00a0 Includes a discussion of the Welcome Center\u2019s mission and reactions to its closing.<\/li>\n
  4. Critical Needs and Key Issues: Original Research Findings<\/strong>
    \nReports community leaders\u2019 understanding of what issues confront Faribault, based on the interviews conducted during the spring of 2011.\u00a0 Identifies three major categories of issues, detailing the scope and content of each, and interviewees\u2019 ideas about what actions should be taken to address them.<\/li>\n
  5. Recommendations<\/strong>
    \nRecommends action on networking, future research, language, education and the political process.<\/li>\n
  6. Appendices<\/strong>
    \nPresents notes, recommended reading, reference materials, research methodology and list of persons interviewed.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n