When individuals arrive from all over the world to take refuge in our state, our Resettlement Programs Office provides the kind of temporary, but essential, help they need to get established – help understanding new systems, getting their first job in America, learning English, supporting their children’s success in school and applying for citizenship. That's not how we were welcomed," she told AFP. Minnesota is home to a Somali refugee population of more than 50,000 - and Omar herself, now a US citizen, came to Minnesota as a refugee. African refugees living in Minneapolis were already struggling with their "American dream" when George Floyd died in police custody. Many of these refugees, including large populations of Somalis, Cambodians, and Hmong, to name a few, have resettled in large communities to create new ethnic neighborhoods in the Minnesota. She has not held back from telling people that, beyond acts of police violence, Americans have to address the core issue of inequality in the country. Then she spoke to a Liberian hospital worker, a Karen parent from school, a Jewish singer from Ukraine—and created “a collective refugee memoir.” Kao Kalia Yang at home in St. Paul, Minnesota. "This could happen to our children," she said, encouraging protesters marching below on a highway. In 2016, 12 percent of the population of Minnesota was living under the poverty line, but that number rose to 31 percent among the Ethiopian community and 55 percent among Somalis. For those who have had the privilege to live here your entire lives, I encourage you to reach out in kindness to refugees and other immigrants in our communities. Trump responded to the tweet by claiming he is “helping Minnesota greatly” and blaming his Democratic opponent, former Vice President Joe Biden , and former President Barack Obama for a “Minnesota disaster.” Gertrude Matemba-MutasaFrom day one, I felt welcomed here. Who are the refugees? We have to be here for them.". They enrich our communities with new food, music, cultures and ways of thinking that propel us forward. The history of Asian immigration to Minnesota dates back to the mid-1870s, when the first Chinese immigrants sought to escape the hostility and racial violence of the West Coast. I have to protest.". There are 43,000 Somalis living in Minnesota. Last summer, President Donald Trump said that she and three other women of color in Congress should "go back" to their countries of origin. The department’s Resettlement Programs Office is responsible for overseeing the successful transitions for immigrants to Minnesota. Now their dream is in tatters and they have joined their African American "brothers" in the streets to protest racism in their adopted homeland. 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Minnesota resettled 775 refugees in 2019, according to the state Department of Human Services. MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota state government will continue to consent to refugee resettlement, Gov. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota state government will continue to consent to refugee resettlement, Gov. Once we take time to learn about each other as individuals, as parents, as colleagues, as young people with dreams, we often discover all that we have in common and all that we have to enrich each other’s lives. Trump also touted his administration's willingness to deport a number of Somali refugees - a move that drew criticism from Omar and immigration lawyers. That’s where the Minnesota Department of Human Services comes in. The state of Minnesota, where Minneapolis is located, has the highest percentage of refugees per inhabitant in the whole country, with two percent of the US population but 13 percent … The Minnesota author's new book, "Somewhere in the Unknown World," began when she collected her uncle’s story about fleeing Laos. Of those, only 6,320 settled in Minnesota. While I know my experience is different from that of people with refugee status who have fled to Minnesota for safety, I hope they, too, felt supported upon their arrival. The content you requested does not exist or is not available anymore. Some were recognized for their civic engagement, facilitating cultural, food and language sessions so that community members can learn more about their Somali neighbors and build cross-cultural friendships. "I came here as a refugee but not as a white refugee," she said. But she too has been the target of racial abuse, death threats and slander. The state of Minnesota, where Minneapolis is located, has the highest percentage of refugees per inhabitant in the whole country, with two percent of the US population but 13 percent of its refugees, according to the most recent census. In 2018, over forty different ethnic groups make up the state’s Asian American and Asian immigrant and refugee communities. But a growing number of refugees from … President Donald Trump retweeted a post on Monday about “radicalized” Somalis in Minnesota, continuing a history of denigrating refugees and spreading Islamophobia. Minnesota has among the highest population of refugees per capita, but Trump has drastically cut how many refugees can enter the country annually. "I end up having two boys, 10 and six, who are afraid because we are not white," she said, full of rage. France 24 - International breaking news, top stories and headlines. For those who have had the privilege to live here your entire lives, I encourage you to reach out in kindness to refugees and other immigrants in our communities. They pay taxes and invest in our communities. They come with ideas and an understanding of new markets. Claim: A meme claims President "Obama resettled 70,000 SOMALIAN REFUGEES in MINNESOTA" to help elect Rep. Ilhan Omar. They contribute. One Ethiopian woman, who asked not to be named, said she has four sons and worries that, when they grow up, they too could be subjected to the type of police brutality that took the life of George Floyd. Our reporters are only able to do their work thanks to support at all levels. Ilhan Omar took home 78 per cent of the vote in Minnesota's 5th Congressional District, becoming the first Somali-American, first refugee and first … Member donations are crucial to the work of our nonprofit newsroom. She feels a close affinity to African Americans, many of them descended from slaves and who have been Americans for generations. If you’re interested in joining the discussion, add your voice to the Comment section below — or consider writing a letter or a longer-form Community Voices commentary. After a century of aiding refugees from around the world, new laws are hurting agencies' funding. I felt anything was possible in this country where I could achieve much more than my biggest dreams. The International Institute of Minnesota welcomes refugees to the Twin Cities and assists in the transition process to their new community. The majority are from Burma and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Refugees from Afghanistan, Belarus, Bhutan, Burundi, China, Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iran, … You can also learn about all our free newsletter options. When individuals arrive from all over the world to take refuge in our state, our Resettlement Programs Office provides the kind of. More than 480,000 immigrant residents in Minnesota make up 8.6 percent of the state’s population. Since I arrived in America in 1992, I’ve frequently asked myself, “How did that little girl from Zimbabwe get here?” I have thrived because I was welcomed, supported and given the opportunity to reach my potential. “Biden has promised a 700 percent increase in the importation of refugees from the most dangerous places in … Still others were recognized for their leadership as youth, helping newly immigrated families with enrolling children in school, finding housing and translating important information, and for their resilience and courage, helping other refugees resettle in Minnesota. In the last few years, the Trump administration has reduced the U.S. intake of refugees to historic lows. Box 18438 | Minneapolis, MN 55418 | 612.455.6950. All share a desire for what most of us want: Good health, satisfying work, safe neighborhoods, happy families, welcoming communities and opportunities to pursue our dreams. The United States resettled its 10,000th Syrian refugee last week. And the riots that have followed some protests have not helped their plight, since some of the looted businesses were immigrant-owned. From day one, I felt welcomed here. Starting over in a new community is an immense challenge, especially if you’ve experienced trauma — from learning a new language to entering a new culture to processing the crisis from which one has fled. Minnesota accepted 4,523 refugees in the two-year period ending Sept. 30, 2015, according to the federal Office of Refugee Settlement. By taking the time to listen to and learn from each other, we can see our common hopes and dreams as our country’s strength. Refugees include refugees, asylees, entrants/parolees, victim of trafficking and Amerasians. During Wednesday's rally, … While I know my experience is different from that of people with refugee status who have fled to Minnesota for safety, I hope they, too, felt supported upon their arrival. "We are all dehumanized, regardless of our cultural differences. Primary refugees are refugees who are initially resettled in Minnesota. Others were honored for their entrepreneurial spirit, providing bilingual and bicultural mental health services to adolescents and adults. “The inn is not full in Minnesota,” the Democratic governor said in a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo just ahead […] read more about their inspiring stories on our website. Minnesotans for Syrian Refugees is a community initiative that was created in 2015 in response to the growing anti-refugee sentiment and Islamophobic rhetoric in the United States. Trump's campaign also began running an ad in Minnesota and elsewhere bashing Biden's plans amid a pandemic for "increasing refugees by 700% from … For the past week, Omar has often been asked to comment on the situation. There is "something connects us," she said. Tim Walz said Friday, in response to a recent … “Immigrant” and “refugee” are not equivalent terms. But before they do this, they need a little help. THE FACTS: The data shows a total of about 54,000 Somali refugees came to the U.S. while Obama was president from Jan. 2009 to Jan. 2017. All share a desire for what most of us want: Good health, satisfying work, safe neighborhoods, happy families, welcoming communities and opportunities to pursue our dreams. I came on a full scholarship to Bennett College in North Carolina to earn undergraduate degrees in accounting and business management, and then to the University of North Carolina to earn a master’s degree in business. In the past three decades, Minnesota has welcomed and offered safety to more than 100,000 refugees from 100 countries. Now, she realises, "it's all a lie. Minnesota refugee resettlement has been a huge part of the community in the state. In the past three decades, Minnesota has welcomed and offered safety to more than 100,000 refugees from 100 countries. But at the same time, a … ", Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning, Take international news everywhere with you! "We thought that everyone would be equal, that we would not be judged by religion, by color, by our dresses. France 24 is not responsible for the content of external websites. Minnesota received only 6,320 Somali refugees under the Obama administration, according to data from the U.S. Department of State’s Refugee Processing Center. The Refugee Resettlement Programs Office is a federally funded office in the Minnesota Department of Human Services that supports the effective resettlement of refugees in Minnesota, and ensures their basic needs are met so they can live in dignity and achieve their highest potential. In Minnesota, 25 Syrian refugees made homes in the past year, landing mostly in Rochester and Minneapolis. Audience ratings certified by ACPM/OJD. MinnPost | P.O. Tim Walz said Friday, in response to a recent … “Our goals for refugees and immigrants are the same goals the state has for every person in Minnesota—that they’re able to thrive and contribute to their communities,” says King. These populations have begun to transform the ways in which ethnicity, religion, and race are perceived in Minnesota, and Minnesota has, in turn, transformed them. MINNEAPOLIS - Minnesota state government will continue to consent to refugee resettlement, Gov. Their journeys and experiences differ in how and why they chose Minnesota to be their home. I encourage you to read more about their inspiring stories on our website. Now we have to face that reality.". For him and many others, the major concern is for their children. They work hard to earn a living for themselves and their families while helping to meet Minnesota’s needs for workers. Refugees from Somalia make up the highest number of arrivals in Minnesota, with over 13,000 refugees in the last 15 years, according to the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Among them are a large number of people from the Horn of Africa -- Ethiopians and Somalis -- whose presence in the marches was noticeable because of the colorful robes worn by the women. As refugees become more established, we also support their contributions and successes. The total number of refugees arriving in Minnesota has dropped significantly in recent years as the U.S. accepts fewer people with refugee status. Minnesota Department of Human Services Assistant Commissioner for Community Supports Gertrude Matemba-Mutasa is responsible for ensuring equitable access to services that support healthy outcomes for people to choose how to live, work and enjoy life in their communities. You have to support this movement, she said, "to stop racism, for the future. About 6,320 of those people were resettled in Minnesota, the highest number of any state. That's why she has been marching to protest the death at the hands of a white police officer of George Floyd, a 46-year-old African American man whose killing has sparked nationwide protests and clashes with police. Primary Refugee Arrival Data Primary Refugee Arrivals to Minnesota by Initial County of Resettlement and Country of Origin, 2018 (PDF) Updated 11/2019 Download the France 24 app, Independent autopsy finds George Floyd died of asphyxiation, One week after George Floyd's death, the US awakens to cities in shambles, Protests in Minneapolis over George Floyd's death leave city in ruins, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres declares he will seek a second term, FBI warns of plans for nationwide armed protests ahead of Biden's inauguration, Acting US homeland security chief resigns in wake of deadly Capitol Hill riots, Trump administration redesignates Cuba as state sponsor of terror, Conservative social network Parler sues Amazon over shutdown, Conservative social network Parler offline after Amazon warning over violent content, House Democrats introduce impeachment resolution accusing Trump of ‘incitement of insurrection’, Pelosi sets 24-hour deadline to remove Trump or impeachment goes ahead, Biden chooses veteran diplomat William Burns as CIA director, Latin America under pressure to vaccinate amid spike in Covid-19 toll, Pompeo moves to blacklist Yemen's Huthis as a 'terrorist' group. Leaving her family and her country was hard, as was the journey to get to the United States, but she was determined to pursue her own American dream of peace, equality and democracy. Minnesota state government will continue to consent to refugee resettlement, Gov. Minnesota has one of the largest populations of resettled refugees in the country. Minnesota's Somali community has a source of pride, though, in Ilhan Omar, a 37-year-old born in Mogadishu who was elected to Congress in 2018. Over the years I have found what often divides us is our misunderstanding or lack of information about each other. Learn about and celebrate the contributions these neighbors make to our state. That has meant that for many refugees, an important facet of the American dream -- social mobility -- has broken down over time. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota state government will continue to consent to refugee resettlement, Gov. An immigrant is someone who chooses to le… The most recent refugee groups to arrive in Minnesota include Karen and other refugees from Burma, Nepali-speaking refugees from Bhutan and Iraqis. Over 3 million people have fled the country of Syria and 6.5 million have been internally displaced in the most urgent humanitarian crisis of our time. I felt supported. That’s where the Minnesota Department of Human Services comes in. Since 2005, about 33,000 refugees have relocated to Minnesota. I felt anything was possible in this country where I could achieve much more than my biggest dreams. Tim Walz said Friday, in response to a recent presidential executive order that requires consent from states and counties. , but essential, help they need to get established – help understanding new systems, getting their first job in America, learning English, supporting their children’s success in school and applying for citizenship. They launch businesses. Minnesota refugee aid center's future in flux at 100. Art and posters at a memorial for George Floyd that has been created at the place where he was taken into police custody and later died in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, June 1, 2020. (Submission Guidelines). I encourage you to. The state also took in almost 1,100 Somalis, 166 Ethiopians and 66 Congolese — a … A 2018 poll from The Star Tribune of Minneapolis reported that almost 50 percent of Minnesota Republicans wanted the state to temporarily stop … Refugees are the most screened migrants to enter the United States. It is humbling to know the responsibility and privilege I have today to support our neighbors in the same way I was helped; the same way we all need a helping hand at times. "So many people know a social and economic neglect," Omar said on Sunday. Deka Jama, a 24-year-old woman who came to the United States from Somalia in 2007, showed up with friends, all of them veiled, to protest the discrimination that met them in their new homeland. This is what I have learned about our neighbors who have come to this country to start their lives anew: But before they do this, they need a little help. They help us stay globally aware. Community Voices features opinion pieces from a wide variety of authors and perspectives. © 2021 Copyright France 24 - All rights reserved. Minnesota's Refugee and International Health Program (RIHP) partners with local health departments, private health care providers, and community organizations to offer each new refugee arrival a comprehensive screening examination, appropriate follow-up or referral, and community-based health education. They are willing to take risks to succeed. Somali … In total, Minnesota has received refugees from over 100 countries since 1979. Recently at the Minnesota Department of Human Services, we recognized 10 individuals with the Outstanding Refugee Award. When I arrived in the United States as an immigrant from Zimbabwe, I was 18 years old, excited and enthusiastic about living in this country. "My permanent home is the US and my permanent color is black. My country was at war," said Tiha Jibi, who arrived from South Sudan at age 15. They appreciate the supports they received upon arrival and give back to make Minnesota better for all of us. "I came here for freedom. "I am very disappointed, very disappointed," Ahmed, a 42-year-old who arrived from Ethiopia a decade ago, said as he took in the blackened ruins of a burned building. According to Minnesota Compass, a website that tracks the state's demographics, families from Africa are particularly hard hit. (For more information about Community Voices, see our Submission Guidelines.). 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