November 15, 2004 - St. Paul school district officials say their strategy for accommodating a wave of new immigrant students has worked smoothly for the first two months of the school year. The district established Transitional Language Centers at three elementary schools in response to the influx of Hmong families from a Thailand refugee camp. An International Academy was set up for older students. Valeria Silva, director of St. Paul's English Language Learner programs, says the slow, steady arrival of students has helped the schools adapt.
November 24, 2004 - The number of legal immigrants moving to Minnesota declined sharply last year.
November 25, 2004 - The number of legal immigrants moving to Minnesota declined sharply last year.
December 6, 2004 - MPR’s Perry Finelli interviews Dr. Pat Walker, medical director at the Center for International Health at Regions Hospital, about mass health screening clinics for new refugees.
December 10, 2004 - MPR’s David Molpus interviews Cheryl Thomas, who runs Women's Human Rights Program at the Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights. Thomas discusses the domestic violence facing women in immigrant communities here in Minnesota.
December 13, 2004 - MPR’s Brandt Williams reports on a Minnesota Community Project study regarding Minnesotan’s attitudes on immigrants. The majority of the people involved in the study expressed favorable attitudes toward immigration. However, the authors say they're particularly dismayed over data showing a streak of hostility toward immigrants - especially by people living in the outer ring suburbs. The study's authors say those attitudes go against Minnesota's tradition of tolerance and acceptance of newcomers.
December 14, 2004 - A panel of community leaders today tried to dispel some of the negative opinions about immigrants revealed in a new study. The report found that many Minnesotans believe immigrants are a drain on public services. Lee Pao Xiong directs the Center for Hmong Studies at Concordia University in St. Paul. He says most immigrants are employed.
December 15, 2004 - A panel of community leaders today tried to dispel some of the negative opinions about immigrants revealed in a new study. The report found that many Minnesotans believe immigrants are a drain on public services. Lee Pao Xiong directs the Center for Hmong Studies at Concordia University in St. Paul. He says most immigrants are employed.
December 20, 2004 - Winona-based Saint Mary's University is starting an English Language Academy at its Twin Cities campus. Tens of thousands of immigrants have moved to Minnesota in recent years, and many of them aren't going to college after high school because they can't speak English well enough. Program director Michelle Yener says the school is trying to do something about that.
December 20, 2004 - With thousands of Hmong, Somali and Latino immigrants moving to Minnesota every year, Saint Mary's University in Winona is hoping more will consider going to college. The university is offering a course in the English language at its Twin Cities campus. Michelle Yener, the director of the English Language Academy, says there are a couple of reasons why immigrants aren't going to college after high school.