This study examined reasons for the recent wave of immigration to the Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, area, interviewing Hmong, Somalis, Russians, and Hispanics/Latinos who were born outside of the United States. Interviews examined reasons for leaving the native land, what immigrants found when they arrived, and how they coped and adapted. Most immigrants moved to the United States after 1970. Most of the Hmong, Russians, and Somalis left their native lands because of fighting or danger. Most people immigrated for family and employment reasons. Most spoke a language other than English at home, about one-third speaking English very well, and one-fifth not speaking English at all. One in four immigrants took classes to improve their English. Most immigrants said that Americans were usually friendly to them. Nearly half missed their native land and hoped to return, while one-third missed it but were glad they left. Distinct differences between the groups included: Hispanics were most likely to feel that their children’s teachers knew enough about their culture, Hmong were most likely to report mean or unkind treatment by Americans, Russians were most likely to be glad they left their native land, and Somalis were most likely to hope to return to their native country someday. (SM)
