When Minnesota was a new state, thousands of settlers arrived, many of them from Europe. But in recent decades, the state has attracted large numbers of Hmong and Somali refugees. There are also thousands of people from India, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Mexico and the People’s Republic of China living in Minnesota.
The state has become more racially diverse in the last 10 years, and demographers said that's especially true among children. About 83 percent of Minnesotans were white, non-Hispanic for the 2010 census, compared to 88 percent in 2000.
July 16, 2002 -
July 22, 2002 - Some Minnesota organizations that work with immigrants are planning to file a lawsuit today, challenging new driver's license requirements. The requirements took effect earlier this month and are intended to fight terrorism. They order, among other things, that a driver's license note when an immigrant's visa will expire. Joining us on the line is Omar Jamal, executive director of the Somali Justice Advocacy Center in St. Paul, which will be of the plantifs in the suit. That is Omar Jamal, executive director of the Somali Justice Advocacy Center.
July 22, 2002 - Several groups including the Minnesota Civil Liberties Union and Jewish Community Action are appealing a judge's order they say discriminates against immigrants and foreign visitors who apply for state driver's licenses. The groups filed a case with the state court of appeals this afternoon (Monday) arguing the new rules are unconstitutional. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports:
August 14, 2002 - It's tough to break into farming nowadays, and even tougher if you're an immigrant. MPR’s Rob Schmitz reports on Minnesota Food Association, which assists immigrant farmers in areas like production techniques, marketing, and management skills. Unfortunately, federal budget cuts have had a negative impact on program.
August 15, 2002 - In Fairbault, Gregg Bongard, a U.S. Department of Agriculture employee, is making a special effort to reach out to Minnesota's growing immigrant population. In the second part of his series on immigrant farmers, MPR’s Rob Schmitz reports that Bongard thinks he's discovered a new approach to farming that could change the face of agriculture in the United States.
August 21, 2002 - MPR’s Marissa Helms reports that Northeast Minneapolis neighborhood is home to a growing international community. Though the area grew by just one percent over the past 10 years, U.S. census figures show a significant quadrupling of immigrant populations.
August 27, 2002 - MPR’s Andrew Haeg looks into homeownership among immigrant groups. Real estate experts say immigrants are an increasingly important part of the real estate market and lenders are taking steps to accommodate them.
September 3, 2002 -
September 9, 2002 - MPR’s Mary Losure speaks with local Somali residents about their experience in the cities after 9/11. They speak on fear of Minnesotans retaliating toward them based on their Muslim religion, experiences of racism, how immigration interviews were canceled and not rescheduled, and how money wiring services were shut down.
September 9, 2002 -