Invisible and on the margins: a demographic profile of emerging refugee populations in Northern Colorado. (2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Marston, Christine; Nelson, Kyle Anne; Behr, Michelle
• Is Part Of: International journal of migration and residential mobility. Volume 1:Number 3(2016)
• Page Start: 253
• Page End: 268
• Publication Date: 2016
• Subjects: refugee demographics -- secondary migration -- internal migration -- new destinations -- meatpacking -- agriculture -- community integration -- residential mobility -- globalisation -- multiculturalism -- USA -- United States -- demographic profile -- refugee populations; Migration, Internal -- Economic aspects -- Periodicals; Emigration and immigration -- Economic aspects -- Periodicals; Emigration and immigration -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Migration, Internal -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Residential mobility -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Residential mobility -- Economic aspects -- Periodicals; 304.805
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2051-6800

Abstract

Refugee populations originating from Africa and Asia are continuing to grow as a proportion of the immigrant population in the USA, yet little is known about the integration of these vulnerable populations into secondary settlement areas. We present a case study of Greeley, Colorado, a small city with an agricultural and meatpacking economic-base that has experienced a rapid influx of secondary migrant refugees since 2007. This case study demonstrates the importance of collecting data on emergent newcomers and details the inherent difficulties of gathering accurate and timely information especially in areas of the USA which are not primary resettlement locations. We explore factors that have fostered substantial demographic shifts, document the challenges of collecting data on new refugee populations, and provide an initial demographic snapshot of the local refugee population which may inform efforts in other areas experiencing similar influxes of new refugee populations.