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2008 Immigration in Nebraska

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Immigration in Nebraska



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Strategic Discussions for Nebraska is grateful to its funding organization – the Robert and Ardis James Family Foundation in New York. Their financial support and their guidance have made this project possible.

Strategic Discussions for Nebraska benefits from the involvement and advice of an external advisory board. We wish to express appreciation to the board members:

Jonathan Brand, J.D., President of Doane College in Crete Dr. Eric Brown, General Manager of KRVN Radio in Lexington Dr. Will Norton, Jr., Dean of the UNL College of Journalism and Mass Communications Dr. Frederik Ohles, President of Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln Dr. Janie Park, President of Chadron State College, Chadron Harvey Perlman, J.D., Chancellor of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln James Seacrest, Retired Newspaper Publisher, Lincoln Jose Soto, J.D., Vice President of Affirmative Action, Equity and Diversity, Southeast Community College Area, Lincoln Lyn Wallin Ziegenbein, J.D., Executive Director, Peter Kiewit Foundation in Omaha

We also wish to thank the ex-officio external board members: Terry Fairfield, Vice Chairman University of Nebraska Foundation Ralph James, Executive Director of Executive Education Harvard Business School, Cambridge, Massachusetts Dr. Robert James, President Enterprise Asset Management, Inc., New York, New York Cathy James Paglia, Director Enterprise Asset Management. Inc., New York, New York

Strategic Discussions for Nebraska also appreciates the advice and involvement of the faculty and staff of the UNL College of Journalism and Mass Communications and of Associate Professor Frauke Hachtmann’s Campaigns class in the fall semester of 2007. The collaborative involvement of both faculty and students from this college have helped add perspective to this complex topic. We are grateful to the committee of College of Journalism and Mass Communications faculty who advised us on this project: Tim Anderson; Dr. Charlyne Berens; Kathy Christensen; Michelle Hassler; Dr. Will Norton, Jr.; Dr. Linda Shipley; Amy Struthers; Front cover images from left to right: and Dr. John Wunder. Crete, Nebraska Omaha, Nebraska Lexington, Nebraska Scottsbluff, Nebraska B>OB>ABOP“ Immigration Strategic Discussions for Nebraska is a grant- funded research project located in the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass in Nebraska Communications. The project began July 1, 2007, and performs studies on topics of national interest and how they affect Nebraska and the people who live here. Group discussions in selected communities encourage the public to be involved in improved statewide communication. PROJECT OVERVIEW Through these qualitative studies and discussions, we 4 . . . . . Introduction hope Nebraska can be a key player in raising national 6 . . . . . Nebraska Demographics awareness and thus, affecting national policy on these topics. 7 . . . . . Definitions We researched immigration for the project’s initial 8 . . . . . Nebraska’s Immigration History study. We selected Scottsbluff, Lexington, Crete and 10 . . . . . Covering the New Nebraska Omaha and looked at the impact immigration has had on 12 . . . . . Immigrants and Refugees those communities. We selected these communities for specific reasons: 13 . . . . . An Employer’s View t
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the changes it has experienced since the Farmland 20 . . . . . Omaha meatpacking plant located there in 1975, and also because of Doane College’s long academic presence in the community t
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IMMIGRATION RESEARCH federal designation as a primary resettlement site for 22 . . . . . Reading List on Immigration refugees and also because of its geographic and perceived cultural distance from other parts of Nebraska 23 . . . . . Other Organizations We spent hundreds of hours, traveled thousands of miles and conducted scores of interviews from many perspectives in each community. We studied the long history of immigration in Nebraska and used it as a comparison to today’s issues. The summary of our findings, selected stories and a STRATEGIC DISCUSSIONS FOR nebraska list of additional readings are included in this magazine. This is only part of the information collected during this Director...... Mary H. Garbacz Design ...... Adam Wagler study. Please go to our website: www.unl.edu/sdn to read Research . . . . . Jalele Erega all the stories written from interviews across the state, as Zenebe Beyene well as view photographs and video clips. As you read and view this information as a whole, consider whether you Strategic Discussions for Nebraska still believe immigration is a problem in Nebraska, and College of Journalism and Mass Communications also consider possible solutions. We suggest you contact 133 Andersen Hall the officials on the community, county, state and national University of Nebraska–Lincoln levels and share your thoughts and possible solutions with Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0443 them. I welcome your comments on this study and your Tel: 402.472.3075 suggestions for future studies. Fax: 402.472.8597 If you would like additional copies of this magazine, www.unl.edu/sdn please contact me.

Sincerely,y

Mary GarbaczGarbacz, Coordinator Strategic Discussions for Nebraska [email protected] 402.472.3075 STRATEGIC DISCUSSIONS FOR nebraska IMMIGRATION Summary ofQualitativeResearchFindings Nebraska’s CongressionalInvolvement Media Influence 4 Congressman Terry, Lee represents who with 2nd District; the wall,” “don’t build awall,” “fixthe system,” and more. from “cut– everything it off,” “keep it as it is,” “lower it,” “build a of feedbackspectrum from theirconstituents about immigration and lifestyles. Nebraska’s Congressional delegates receive abroad ly-populated, agrarian Nebraska with its wildly different terrains heavily-populated states coastal don’t make for sense sparse- the countrythe asawhole. However, solutions that make in sense thesolutions,to most find practical both for Nebraska and for about complexities the of immigration the issue and are trying other federal research organizations. research wasprovided by Congressional the Research Office and constituent wasworried about were myths, Wiltgen said. The ent’s concerns about immigration issues.Most of issuesthe the of factual reports hecould collected so respond to aconstitu- recent interview, Wiltgen displayed alarge, three-ring binder full constituentswhen write or callSenator Hagel’s office. During a gel, agreat spends misconceptions of deal these timedispelling Todd Wiltgen, State Director for office the Senator of Chuck Ha- nate myths and misconceptions, aswell asvitriolic commentary. attitudes about immigration, quickly asthey and widely dissemi- many research inthis interviews project. sound bite may form depth the of knowledge, on news based today,listen regularly; to news the and headlines 10-second the people 21stcentury. inthe People to read used newspapers and responsible, asare changing the consumption news habits of anddia –local national, broadcast and print –are at partly least There isalack of education aboutthe topic overall, theand me- most people can inNebraska imagine, both and nationwide. and techniquesogy available. seminating and perpetuating myths through technol- newest the there are major differences. addition,In the public may dis- be Mexico and people from Guatemala, for instance, though even one isnot; can’t who they tell difference the peoplebetweenfrom differencethe between a workerthewho country isin legally and great influence the on topic of immigration. The public can’t tell shows, and fear the of unknown the or unfamiliar may have a perception on knowledge, superficial isbased SDN research areSome able to work U.S. inthe some are legally; not. Public andLatin America; 25percent from Europe, Asia and Africa. lation, 50percent come to U.S. the from Mexico; 25percent from website: our onwww.unl.edu/sdn found be may photographs still and clips video depth and breadth of issueinNebraska. the Additional stories, information the because selected may help to understand the cluded, along with of aselection collected the stories were –they of Scottsbluff,overviews Lexington, Crete and Omaha are in- ing information. of information this Asummary follows here; sions for Nebraska research team some interest- haslearned conversations statewide about immigration, Strategic the Discus- The Strategic Discussions for Nebraska team visited with Nebraska’s congressmen and senators are well-informed The Internet theand blogosphere have contributed negativeto The immigration issueisfar larger and more complexthan Federal data indicate that, of today’s immigrant worker popu- After visiting with nearly 100individuals and hostingseveral Introduction . Federal ImmigrationOrganizations Understanding Words, Culture companies that hire immigrant labor are short-sighted, assault sible to access;it changes its ICE frequently; the focus raids on Homeland Security. est investigative and enforcement branch of Department the of Enforcement (ICE), established inMarch also larg- 2003isthe Homeland (DHS). The Security U.S. Immigration and Customs and its umbrellaService, organization Department the became of vices (USCIS)replaced U.S. the Immigration and Naturalization roadside,the Peon-Casanova said. imagine alifestyle other than selling snakes, falcons and at rugs are into born that simply lifestyle. They don’t havethe ability to were they into born life know; they that lifestyle; children their ing snakes, falcons and at rugs sideof the road. the Thatthe is through Mexico, hehas often seen women and childrensell- 7, 2007.He noted recently that on north-south highway the Mass Communications, aU.S. became citizen on December lecturer inadvertising UNLCollege of inthe Journalism and ick, editor of Scottsbluff the Star-Herald. Luis Peon-Casanova, are shining the city on hill” the to to them, quote Steve Freder- Americans and come people the who here for abetter life. “We onbased feedback from many sources. during study this that require clarification possiblyand change, provided are magazine;these main inthis the terms encountered mented worker” asamore objective Alistof term. definitions is two of terms the to many which suggest object. They “undocu- people, laws and situations. The “illegal”terms and “alien” are that people want astandard, to vocabulary describe respectful Mexico, should Canadian the they close border, too.” commented recently, “If they’re going to border the close with John N.Harms Advanced Technology Center of Nebraska, and Chuck Karpf of Scottsbluff Program isDiscovery Director forthe that immigrant labor for isused much of U.S. construction. employer get asked “who willthey to knowing build wall?” the tween U.S. the and Mexico draw varied comments. OneLincoln gang activity and people bring who inand counterfeit sell goods. authorities are looking at smugglers, drug traffickers in humans, er undocumented entrants into U.S. the have terrorist ties,federal country’sthe southern border. In addition to determining wheth- on terrorists hasbeen focus the possibly coming into U.S. the via and what are they doing here. Since September 11,2001,much of and identifying people the are who already United inthe States not work for Nebraska, or for states similar to Nebraska. aware that “one-size-fits-all” the approach to immigration does gen, State Director for Senator Chuck Hagel. Allare much very Director for Senator E.Benjamin Nelson, and with Todd Wilt- team visited also with David DiMartino, then-Communications represents Nebraska’sberry 1stCongressional The SDN District. Moenning of Congressman Jeff Fortenberry’s office –Forten- Adrian Smith, represents who 3rdand the District; with Josh Charles Isom, Communications Director for Congressman However, federal the immigration system isnearly impos- In March U.S. 2003,the Citizenship and Immigration Ser- culturalThe and economic divide isenormousbetween most Conversations with sources throughout Nebraska indicate Conversations about building awallacross border the be- Two of major the issuesare border the fortifying with Mexico Immigration in Nebraska 5 nguage process of Lexington’s Lexington’s of process nguage Kyle McGowan, Superintendent of Schools in Crete, says the says Schools in Crete, of Superintendent McGowan, Kyle In many cases, beef processing facilities are located close to close to located are facilities cases, beef processing many In people recruiting actively are smaller communities Nebraska’s office, Hagel’s Chuck in Senator Director State Wiltgen, Todd Omaha Pack- Greater of President Vice Executive Fili, Angelo learn time to a long took Nebraska to immigrants Historically, the of Superintendent Chessmore, Todd to According students. The majority of the students are Latino, he said, and it and he said, are Latino, of students the The majority students. the advantage will have those students that clear is increasingly scholar- earning already they are in the future; in the job market is now He excellence. educational for awards winning and ships so they well have learn Spanish students the white sure making classmates. as their Latino the opportunities same in kindergarten. education schools start Spanish-language Crete the chances increases Lincoln 20 miles from just location Crete’s Gary other Dr. and personnel. teachers bilingual finding of to like would Schools in Scottsbluff, of Reynolds, Superintendent find- but too, in kindergarten education start Spanish-language Panhandle. in Nebraska’s is a challenge teachers Spanish ing the source of production; the small towns can’t provide enough enough provide can’t the small towns production; of the source fills the positions. labor so immigrant workers, and from Nebraska recruiting from They’re jobs. available for other from also recruiting they’re but the U.S., parts of other would economy the state’s force, this work Without countries. is tak- force work suggested immigrant the have Pundits suffer. disagree. while take, others won’t jobs Americans ing in a meat- work be to to paid want you would much “how said may and answer, to reluctant are people said He plant?” packing take those to jobs. be happy would people “other” him that tell Radio in Lexington, KRVN of General Manager Eric Brown, efforts who leaders led recruitment the community of was one When in Lexington. facility manufacturing empty fill a large, to the need operations, set up and the structure into moved Tyson of the community than was more 2,000 workers nearly for moved countries other from so workers provide, 10,000 could try it “did residents Some Lexington in the plant. work in to is hard It there. very employed remain few but said, Brown out,” jobs filling are these does workers believe that Brown and work, take. to willing aren’t Americans uses and workers Latino many in Omaha, hires Company ing em- company’s the to be sure software verification the federal an built has The company legally. in the U.S. working are ployees for- of the sorts for provide to specifically the plant to addition – language the employees needs of educational informal mal and classes, them understand classes help to classes, citizenship to like they would – whatever culture and banking American charge, of free offered are classes The teacher.” find a learn, “we’ll he said, to company, the valuable are The employees Fili said. them. unexpected An to back give to wanted the company and loyalty. company also grew the program was that result some However, generations. took cases, some it English. In of process immigrants’ with patience little have today Americans language-learning. takes it shows research Schools, Public educational Lexington children immigrant of Parents learn well. English to seven years But, as their children. learn as quickly English to less likely are be fluent immigrants wish that Americans’ said, Chessmore be to mean does it “What is complicated. quickly in English and Speaking, writing a menu? reading it mean Doesfluent?” those? Chessmore of perfectly? combination Or some reading because “bilit- “bilingual,” of instead uses “biliterate” the term languages, in two writing speaking, and means reading erate” speaking languages. in two only mean may while “bilingual” pleased is thela with Chessmore Language Meatpacking/Processing Jobs Meatpacking/Processing The workers from other countries are reliable and loyal and and loyal and reliable are other countries from workers The The increasing technical nature of employment has also of employment nature technical The increasing Rural Nebraska already has a difficult time finding health-care health-care time finding a difficult has already Nebraska Rural With Nebraska’s death rate exceeding its birth rate, there is a there birth rate, its exceeding rate death Nebraska’s With Nebraska grows food not only for its own residents, but also but residents, own its for only food not grows Nebraska The largest U.S. immigration raid in history took place on in historyplace took raid U.S. immigration The largest cause few problems, according to employers SDN interviewed; SDN employers to according problems, few cause own countries specializedskills learned in their have they often projects. construction in American valuable are that changed the employment landscape, and small communities are are small communities and landscape, the employment changed Dr. to fillto these jobs, according people train to ways finding District from 48 (Scottsbluff) Senator State current Harms, John Col- Community Nebraska Western of President retired and of Technology is part Center Advanced Harms N. John The lege. serve to needs of the technology was built training and WNCC, Nebraska. western professionals, not to mention bilingual professionals to serve to the professionals bilingual mention to not professionals, administrator speak Cal English. Hiner, who doesn’t population struggles fill in Lexington, to posi- Hospital the Tri-County of profession- bilingual for the lookout on is always and there, tions own” your the “grow on is working Lexington addition, als. In Lexington jobs, encourages which care health filling method of to return and training the requisite get to high school graduates work. to the community current shortage of people available to do the work required by by required do the work to available people of shortage current in the future, worse get will only And it ranking. #2 national that Haber- Jerrod to according the state, of especiallyin rural areas Development Area the Panhandle of Director Executive man, retire will likely generation boomer District. The so-called baby the fact with that combined and he said, in the next 10 years, shortage critical current Nebraska’s births, exceeding are deaths 2018. by will become even worse workers of for export. Its vast Sandhills region provides a suitable environ- a suitable provides region vast Sandhills export. Its for #2 in the United ranks Nebraska and cattle, raising for ment to is required force work A large production. in cattle States the product. ship or distribute and process transport, grow, May 12, 2008, at Agriprocessors, a Postville, Iowa kosher beef kosher Iowa a Postville, Agriprocessors, 12, 2008, at May ICE in that arrested were 400 workers Nearly plant. processing Latham said R-Iowa, Latham, Tom Rep. for A spokesman raid. for and life seekinga better families to views as a blow the raid to according economically, which is suffering the community, Journal 2, 2008 Lincoln story in the June Press Associated an were workers many if that that to on say The storywent Star. hir- they were known have must the company undocumented, discussion community SDN The workers. undocumented ing were if employers that out brought 14 May on in Scottsbluff would it legal documentation, with workers only hire to required the workers on was visited crisis that human the kind of prevent their families. and Agriprocessors of many Nebraskans’ sense of human rights, break up families and and families up break rights, human sense of Nebraskans’ many as discussed in a economies, communities’ impact negatively 14. Some May on in Scottsbluff leaders community of meeting conducted are raids these ICE that allege as to so go far sources to object Nebraskans many though Even publicity. for solely they legal documentation, without in the U.S. working people families. up break that raids the ICE to strongly more far object employ- to available is system software a federal though Even in work to able legally are whether determine to employees ers should believe employers sources SDN is optional. it the U.S., undocu- employing regarding regulations federal by abide with raids, in such caught aren’t so employees workers mented were stories Individuals’ follow. that repercussions the inevitable docu- for waiting of calls, years unanswered detailing frequent, in applicants would-be of observed and mistreatment ments offices. immigration federal Nebraska’s Employment Future STRATEGIC DISCUSSIONS FOR nebraska Law Enforcement,PublicSafety Racism? Education?OrPoverty? The childrenbeing educated through Nebraska’sschools arethe Executive Director of thePeter Kiewit Foundation inOmaha. sue should children,” be according to Lyn Wallin Ziegenbein, nature. inLexington crime the believes isrelatively rare and minor in large population of young menwould have more crime.Brown young it men,so would stand to reason that communities with a regardless of ethnicity. their Theimmigrant workers are largely inanycrime by segment isperpetrated of young society men, any community, but points out that demographics indicate most until guilt isproven. orinnocence guilt. America’s j totacted break down communication barriers to establish either Moreno,crimes. isbilingual, who said heisfrequently con- translate for inaddition victims, have who to those committed gual law enforcement officers personnel andwho other can person. Thatwhen is isvitalit for acommunity haveto bilin- as rape or domestic assault) by perpetrated an English-speaking of (such acrime is avictim person anon-Englishwhen speaking of English, heor acrime shedidnot commit.speak Another is by non-English-speaking isaccused, person does who aperson people. ittake seriously such when raids break up families and mistreat of immigration isignored hesaid; communities cases, inthese serve” mission of law enforcement. The humanrights aspect thatand hesees involvementthe asaconflict in “protect and agencies are asked being to participate inICE raids nationwide, dents of acommunity. Moreno said that law local enforcement enforcing laws, but with also protecting resi- the and serving city the 1850s,so the hasalways known differences. there by in1975.Omahawassettled awidemixof ethnicities in with avariety of ethnicities sinceFarmland operations started mixinLexington onlythe 18years. hasbeen Crete hasworked of part community’s the been for history nearly 150years, while makeup and inits history. ethnic mixhas ethnic Scottsbluff’s lower incomes. with agricultural workers have who lesseducation and have sionals –like doctors and lawyers –are treated incomparison ethnicity. Moreno adifference said hesees the way in profes- between whites and Latinos or between whites and any other itbelieves ismore likely agap to be ineducation or income descent. He there believes isan element of racismtoday, but Children—the CommonDenominatorofNebraska’sFuture “The common“The denominator wholethe of immigration is- BrownEric of Lexington anything believes can happen in Moreno said one ofwhen a mostdifficult the issuesarises law enforcementLocal agencies are not only charged with However, Nebraska each community isdifferent in its ethnic Alex Moreno, Chiefof Police inScottsbluff, is of Mexican Nebraska Demographics * Sources: 1990 Census and 2000 Census 2000 and Census 1990 Sources: * Other Asian orPacificIslander American Indian African American Hispanic (ofallorigins) White (Caucasian) ae2000 Race udicial system assumes innocence udicial system assumesinnocence 1,461,733 12,270 56,424 35,093 11,989 1990 876 1,494,494 19,023 22,324 13,460 67,537 94,425 The RoleofReligion each ofeach Nebraska’s Cunningham three dioceses, said. developing ajoint statement on immigration from bishop the in principles on migration: it hasfor centuries. TheChurch hasdeveloped and accepted five at immigration issuesfrom amoral, human rights standpoint, as Nebraska Catholic Conference, said Catholic the Church looks and immigrants. Jim Cunningham, Executive Director of the significant involvementthe needs both of refugees serving in dominantly Catholic countries, Catholic the so Church has States. political violence of Sudan and have resettled United inthe organizations working with needsof the refugeesthe fled who each community. spiritual needsof newcomers, the of aswell underserved asthe various the at physical, same the timeserving emotional and isonfocus helping people to integrate quickly into but America, tions that help refugees integrate into communities. new The are two of main the Services religiousCatholic Social organiza- grate into acommunity. Today, Lutheran and Family Services parts of theUnited States. own children, but people from also other countries and other ing programs to recruit and retain workers –not only Nebraska’s children for future the needsof state the and possibly develop- Nebraska willaddress many issuessuch aseducating Nebraska’s 2009legislativebeginning inthe session. His on focus rural Unicameral, long-range isspearheading planning for Nebraska agree to work state inthe for years. several for of years, aperiod to paying for educations their should they state. His range ideas from giving people lower property taxes develop asystem of incentives young so people willstay inthe work the determine force of future. the future of state, the and efforts the them to in keep Nebraska will For more information visit www.unl.edu/sdn/immigration visit For information more The CatholicThe Church in theNebraska in isalso process of migrants should respected. be




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Most of today’s immigrant population comes from pre- Lutheran nationwide Family Services isone of largest the A church family haslong away been for newcomers to inte- Dr. John Harms, inhisrole asstate senator inNebraska’s Chuck Karpf of Scottsbluffsaidbelieves he Nebraska needs to 902000 1990 T


Immigration in Nebraska 7 —former- latinoamer- ch as Mexico, Central America as Mexico, ch —a worker who has not completed completed who has not —a worker —the ICE organization is the largest inves- is the largest organization —the ICE —a refugee who has lived in the U.S. legally legally in the U.S. who has lived —a refugee —a citizen or resident of the U.S. of Mexi- of the U.S. of resident or —a citizen —an unreasonable fear or hatred of foreigners or or foreigners of hatred or fear unreasonable —an —the policy of protecting the interests of native inhab- native of the interests —the policy protecting of —a native or inhabitant of Mexico, or a person of of a person or Mexico, of inhabitant or —a native —a person who is outside his or her country of na- of her country his or who—a person is outside —in Spanish means “Latin” but which, as an English which, as an but “Latin” means —in Spanish —Latino refers more exclusively to persons or communi- or persons to exclusively more —Latino refers Latino word the Spanish of a shortening is probably word, icano su origin, American Latin ties of Hispanic for Latino substitute America. South One cannot and of residents to referring When the meaning. garbling without can one origin, American Latin of are whom most of the U.S., is a term Latino Latino. or Hispanic use either theoretically form thefeminine to also be can changed and ethnic pride of (dictionary.com). women to (Latina) when referring Mexican (dictionary.com). descent Mexican Mexican-American (dictionary.com). descent birth or can Nativism (dictionary.com). immigrants those of against itants Refugee country that to return to unwilling or is unable and tionality race, based persecution on of fear a well-founded because of or social in a particular group, membership nationality, religion, interview (personal Christine Kutschkau, with opinion political Nebraska of State with Coordinator Refugee Program State Services). Human and Health of Department Secondary Migrant (personal state another to has moved less and or three years for Refugee Program State interview Christine Kutschkau, with and Health of Department Nebraska of State with Coordinator Services).Human Worker Undocumented United inthe work legally paperworkto official and appropriate Citizenship the U.S. by the approval received has not and States This States. Services the in United work to Immigration and their legal overstayed who have persons also includes group documentation. current no have visas and Citizenship Services and Immigration U.S. (USCIS) Service (INS), the Naturalization and Immigration the U.S. ly of Department agency the U.S. within USCIS is a government admin- the for responsible The USCIS is Security. Homeland for and functions naturalization and immigration of istration services (www. priorities immigration policies and establishing uscis.gov). called (USICE, Enforcement and Customs Immigration U.S. as an acronym) ICE Security. Homeland of Department the U.S. of branch tigative of the branches enforcement the combines organization This Service the and Naturalization and Immigration U.S. former Service.purposeto enforce ICE is The Customs of U.S. former the United protect to and laws customs and immigration U.S. illegal immigrants; targets ICE attacks. terrorist against States and terrorism; support that materials and money the people, activi- gang ICE includes: of focus The criminal activities. other immigra- fraudulent illegal workers; who hire ties; employers that organizations applications; benefit and document tion for responsible organizations humans; in traffic and smuggle (www.ice.gov). products counterfeit distributing and smuggling Xenophobia (dictionary.com). strange or which is foreign that of or strangers The Some of those those of Some encompassing all Spanish-speak- all encompassing —to cause (a society) to change; society) (a change; cause to —to —a worker from a country other than the than other a country from —a worker There is significant difference of opinion among among opinion of difference significant is There —to make or become in character; American as- or make —to —an act or instance of integrating a racial, religious, religious, a racial, integrating of instance act or —an —a person who voluntarily leaves his or her country her country his or leaves who voluntarily —a person —to bring into conformity with the customs, at- the customs, with conformity into bring —to —a person who is able to read and write in two lan- in two write and read to who is able —a person —a person who is able to speak in two languages with with speak to languages who two in —a person is able —from the Latin word for Spain, Hispanic has the Hispanic Spain, for word the Latin —from —a person who seeks asylum in the U.S., is in the U.S. is in the U.S. —a person who seeks in the U.S., asylum —ability to speak and/or read a language with ease with a language read speak to and/or —ability

—a resident born in or belonging to another country who country another to belonging born or in —a resident

Immigrant Legal country. in another live or study work, to nationality of benefits assistance certain public be for eligible may immigrants Refugee State interview(personal Christine Kutschkau, with of Department Nebraska of State with Coordinator Program Services). Human and Health or ethnic group (dictionary.com). ethnic group or Integration Acculturation (acculturate) Acculturation of social or patterns traits the cultural adopting of the process (dictionary.com). group another Alien a a foreigner; naturalization; by citizenship acquired has not a crea- noncitizen; excluded; person or who has been estranged (dictionary.com). space (extraterrestrial) outer from ture potentially reference, broader the common emphasizing and in both peoples hemispheres ing sometimes that communities among language of denominator be can used in refer- Hispanic Only else common. in little have resid- Spain of a native culture; history and its and Spain to ring on borders that is a label Hispanic is a Hispanic. in the U.S. ing resonance and cultural authenticity the lacks and the offensive (dictionary.com). Latino of and is unable or unwilling to return to his or her home coun- her home his or to return to unwilling or is unable and nationality, religion, race, based persecution on of try fear for opinion. political or social in a particular group, membership interview (personal Christine legally with in the U.S. are Asylees of State with Coordinator Refugee Program State Kutschkau, Services). Human and Health of Department Nebraska Biliterate (dictionary.com). guages Bilingual Hispanic consensus of those interviewed is that “alien” should be stricken be stricken should “alien” that is interviewed those of consensus or worker” “undocumented and discussions immigration from be substituted. “noncitizen” Americanize (dictionary. the U.S. of institutions and the customs to similate com) Assimilate to adjust: or adapt the like; or nation, a group, of etc., titudes, (dictionary.com). the new immigrants assimilate of definitions many are as there word, this to object interviewed “Ameri- either to is given preference assimilation; constitutes what of nuance coercive or forced the of because “acculturate” or canize” “assimilate.” Asylee speaker (dictionary.com). a native of the facility Documented Worker official and the appropriate who has completed States United and Citizenship the U.S. by has been approved and paperwork Services in the U.S. legally work to Immigration Fluent (dictionary.com). context the in “fluent” of definition the about interviewed sources AND read, speak can a person mean it – does immigration of level? what at and read, OR speak Definitions Relevant to Immigration Discussion to Immigration Relevant Definitions STRATEGIC DISCUSSIONS FOR nebraska differencesbetween groups. ethnic of ahistory difficulty inacceptingalso of150-year history immigration, and vehemence. But Nebraska hasa recently, and sometimes with astartling I Nebraska’s EarlyImmigration History Immigration Wheel: Nebraska’s Re-Inventing the 8 Wunder said. Taking into account the than 500,000people moved to Nebraska,” state today. “In 1920s alone, the more understand immigration issuesin the of Nebraska’s and growth history to they persevered. were tensions, and sometimes trouble. municate, hard to work together. There guage and culture madeit hard to com- but differences inethnicity, religion, lan- other countries same the thing, seeking encountered They sacrifice. people from life, knowing it would hard take work and countries were who looking for abetter of immigrants from many European with by violent means. tries; issues still exist today that are dealt immigrationserious issuesinother coun- countries. Historically, there have been morehas been welcoming than other lective amnesia.” Wunder said softly. “Americans have col- arethey selfish and ignorant the past,” of vocally anti-immigrant? “I would say tance. therethen, have issuesof accep- been AndduringLincoln. years the since of History at University the of Nebraska- else,” said Dr. John Wunder, Professor Indians migrated here from somewhere from Even somewhere else. American the tion inNebraska; one of uscame every One must have aworking knowledge But were they building Nebraska, and Nebraska’s paints history apicture Even at that, Wunder said, America What about people today are who “We have along of immigra- history seem to haveseem come to light only mmigration issuesinNebraska said, really “is definedas forcedcultural rightthe to vote. “Assimilation,” Wunder samethe year that women were given immigration legislation – wasenacted said. In first 1920,the federal all-purpose South Asians were coming also in,” he At same the time, Japanese, Filipino and ilation; there were racialovertones. also wereThe Chinese not interested inassim- people came here to work from China. sentiment on many west the coast,asso therebecause anti-Chinese wasdistinct again1892, then in1902.“It wascreated years, Wunder said. It in wasrevised in1882,butenacted its life wasonly 10 ment inNebraska still exists today. in1937.Thissystembegan of govern- Nebraskans in1934andsession first the cameral by system waspassed avote of Unicameral. Abill establishing Uni- the America’s only one-house legislature, the its independent thinkers, manifested by then, that Nebraska is still known for Nebraska. Perhaps it isnot surprising, from such constraints moved to north preferredals who more independence customs and traditions. individu- Those and purity, ethical aswell aspurity in Pietists, were who believers inreligious cent states. Kansas, for instance, attracted of because part, settlement the of adja- wasaboutCensus, 1,775,000. populationthe in2007,according to U.S. tion in1920wasaround 1,296,000;and in 1860wasabout popula- 30,000;the comparison, population the of Nebraska was asignificant influxnewcomers.of By population of state the at that time, it The firstfederal immigration law was Nebraska’s roots began to grow, in and bring immigrants the to Nebraska railroad would meetships inNew York railroad workers, recruiters for the munities by railroad. the served town hub depot, wasthe which incom- railroadsas the people to these carried a heavily influencedwhere peoplesettled, at that time. Therailroads in Nebraska Nebraska from many European countries a “pull factor,” pulling many people to in Nebraska, Wunder that said, so was of making aliving. Farmland wascheap without land to farm and thus noway down to eldestson, the leaving other sons that farmland wastraditionally passed of own their countries, including fact the here. Economic factors pushed out them pull while tries, factors attracted them pushed people out of home their coun- to Nebraska, Wunder said. Pushfactors grate to United the States, and specifically factors that influencedthe desire to mi- There east. the were push factors and pull Missouri River or by covered wagon from came to state the by steamboat viathe itin which wasused. ifoneespecially isto consider decade the means term somethingEach different, ing “integration” and “Americanization.” historicallyused and recently, includ- long-term. Various other terms have been basisforis the amore society successful Wunder said, allowing because choice characteristicsthese ispositive insociety, wishes to adopt. Picking and choosing characteristics the to heor choose she tion, on other the hand, allows aperson change; it requires coercion.” Accultura- If area acertain of state the needed Nebraskans of 1850sand the 1860s Dr. John Wunder Immigration in Nebraska 9 In Lexington, much much Lexington, In dents from Kosovo, Kosovo, from dents Bosnia.then from is the community of there but Hispanic, Iraqi, followed by stu- by followed Iraqi, a significant are now dent body was chiefly body was chiefly dent workers of number Wunder said it doesn’t doesn’t it said Wunder from Ethiopia, Sudan, Sudan, Ethiopia, from Learner program stu- Learner program Somalia and Liberia.Somalia and English Language English Language a . o a t s L Lincoln Public Schools’ Schools’ Lincoln Public p h ffi

, ap appear that much attention ye years ago, data from the from data ago, years f t is p is paid to matching immi- matching to is paid o of the state has changed; five five has changed; the state of rant on’t on’t g grants to culture, making it it making culture, to grants d school school school data. The composition The composition school data. ange c ore di ore m more difficult to acculturate new to acculturate difficult more ch change comes from looking at at looking from comes change In cities In In cities, the clear evidence of evidence the clear of cities, In we mmigrants – the entire black community.” black – the entire i immigrants. “We are notoriously in- notoriously are “We immigrants. r; a l Fast-forward to Nebraska today. today. Nebraska to Fast-forward revolutionized have technologies New left small have people young Many “The itself? older manifest does it How u s sular; we don’t place emphasis on other other on emphasis place sular; don’t we requires skilled laborers. requires For more informationFor visit www.unl.edu/sdn/immigration Today event paled in comparison to a race riot riot a race to in comparison paled event “In time. that around Oklahoma in Tulsa, – destroyed “mobs said, Wunder Tulsa,” killed equip- the complex agriculture; Nebraska Fewer workers. skilled requires ment land. more farm needed to are farmers homestead in our pride great have “We 160 allowed were past, when people is more it Today, farm. to land of acres said. Wunder be to 1,600 acres,” likely on the working now are The immigrants business in the meatpacking end product the prod- the beginning of of instead immigrants Many uct – the planting. now farming and laborers, unskilled are world-deficient.” are we languages; 50-plus find people you’ll communities; then large – and – white age of years not “You Hispanics. young of groups you but the ethnic difference, have only the difference, the generational also have dif- religious and the difference cultural said. Wunder ference,” like things think through don’t folks for school fund issues to bond education is the education but students, immigrant “Anti-tax he said. this work,” make to way anti-immigrant.” equals increase - Dr. John Wunder John - Dr. Professor of History the at Nebraska-Lincoln of University Assimilation is really defined as forced cultural change; it requires coercion. That insecurity, he said, led to a race led he said, insecurity, That Change was happening so fast it was so fast it was happening Change difficult for people to absorb. In fact, absorb. to for people difficult – presidents elected two Americans – Hoover then Herbert Harding, Warren change. in great interested not who were who did not someone wanted “People “Americans said. Wunder change,” want very feeling insecure.” were was man in Omaha in 1919. “One riot Henry Fonda, actually. killed – lynched, his father who was born in Omaha, and Henry and the time, in Omaha at were was the most frighten- it that wrote later Wunder he had ever witnessed,” thing ing was, the Omaha bad as it As explained. was a gender change in families, which families, in change gender was a had Women in society. stress in resulted War World during force the work joined working,” continue to they wanted I, and been had Women explained. Wunder men and vote, to the right for pushing Prohi- and The suffrage concerned. were Wunder linked, closely issues were bition op- immigrants Czech and German said. because was drinking posed Prohibition Europeans Northern theirculture. of part was a good idea. “It Prohibition thought given were if women that was thought in favor vote they would vote, to the right was “Nebraska he said. Prohibition,” of women’s approve to states the later of one suffrage.” me f . ore i r m Gender also “There issue. became an In fact, that whole post-WWI whole time fact, that In A letter written in 1919 to a Mr. a Mr. in 1919 to written A letter period, Wunder said, was a time of was a time of said, period, Wunder in pleasant not “Thingswere change. there fluctuated; America. The economy industri- and urbanization was massive of a lot I displaced War World alization; working either because theypeople were in war, the working or effort the war for places,” different to go had to people and – – post-Civil War “Africans he said. America north the cities. to had moved was it and change, by was surrounded allowed automobile The mysterious. great Radio brought around. get to people music, to listened people changes; culture smoking,” and drinking started dancing, he added. Richard Hurd by President Theodore Theodore President by Hurd Richard Roosevelt discusses Americaniza- traits adaptive what and tion be expected im- should of America. to World migrants I had ended in 1918, War sentiment anti-German and His a high point. was at detailed some comments men of his expectations of loy- language, regarding The assimilation. and alty the and the letter of date context in its term “man” significant, is historically the have did not as women 1920, and until vote to right that assured not were blacks 1965; though until privilege to the right given were blacks some War, Civil the after vote them prevent to ways found states from voting. on the train. Immigrants usually ar- usually Immigrants the train. on soa ethnicity, the same of in groups rived instance, for community, Swedish whole Germans settle in a certain area. might im- of percentage the largest made up “the were and said, Wunder migrants, War World most harassed peopleduring was so sentiment Local anti-German I.” Wun- time in Nebraska, that about strong were German immigrants that der said, speaking their from language prohibited names in schools; town or the phone on example, Berlin, (New for changed were Klan Klux the Ku and became Garland), anti- anti-immigrant, as an became active and anti-black anti-German, Catholic, More organization. anti-college-educated published once were 50 newspapers than none. are there in German; today Post-WWI Change STRATEGIC DISCUSSIONS FOR nebraska of acommunity. outlets wishto who provide coverage of allaspects brought challenges new to many Nebraska media some communities state. inthe changes Those have N through theMedia Diverse Audiences Nebraska: Serving Covering theNew 10 differentiatebetween lega (or even more specifically, Mexicans) and don’t many people equate immigrants with Hispanics aging isinan issuesuch asimmigration, where able Where with facts. mostdam- becomes this in politics. people Some are resolutely unreach- polarization and clos worked for railroad. the “I encounter intense bysettled groups, these aswell asothers who and industries. sugar Thecommunity beet was than 100years ago. worked They potatothe in Germans from Russia, Hispanics, then more includes migrant farm workers were who first community’sthe diversity. history Scottsbluff’s is hiring people at newspaper the that reflects Scottsbluff. his office in good place to start And a voices inyour newspaper,” Frederick said from and such unlessyou findways includeto their faith, farm families, single mothers, grandparents to needsof meetthe everyone…Hispanics, people of ties. it difficult to insmall, diversecover everything communi- grants,” Rutledge noted, but timeand staffing constraints make Tederman, editor of Lexington the Clipper-Herald. Frederick, editor of Scottsbluff the Star-Herald Lindsey and spective to conversation. the Contributing by mail were Steve University of Nebraska-Lincoln, brought who historical the per- Crete News; and Dr. John Wunder, Professor of History at the editor of Norfolk the Daily News; Josh Wolfe, editor of The editor of Journal Lincoln the Star. Panelists were Kent Warneke, the New Nebraska in acommunity, people-power the may not available. be though desire the isstrong to bridge gap the ethnicities between man interest stories, editorials and classified advertising. Even feature business agricultural news, news, news, local stories, hu- paper’s subscription area, including international, national and a smorgasbord of information to allkindsof readers inthe “No matter how your good intentions are it’s hard population old “The isgraying;population the new isimmi- A January 17,2008videotaped conversation dubbed Daily and weekly newspapers are challenged to provide countries hasbrought profound changes to ebraska’s influx of workersfrom other wasmoderated by Kathleen Rutledge, former ed-mindedness, especially ed-mindedness, especially l and illegalimmigrants,” d ni e t s Covering Covering s mak imm

sey S - teve teve i e - face of the change countries to workers from many facility. Now Tyson Fresh Meats, facility the attracted enough Lexington and remodeled it asastate-of-the-art processing beef great changes sinceIBPtook over alarge, vacant building in different ages and various interests.Lexington hasexperienced man said, isto cover more stories exploring other ethnicities, more timeemphasizing our common humanity,” headded. and lesstimegetting spend pulled into political squabbles and and reveal nuance, nonsense, role highlight expose good models Frederick said.only way “The to gapsthose bridge is to respect face change And the obviousAnd the answer to bridging coverage the gap, Teder-

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regular coverage. coverage aspart ofour We justincorporatethis minorities asanovelty. gotten overtreating them…but wehave want toknowabout are surprisedthatwe Hispanics inNorfolk Editor of the Norfolk Daily News - Kent Warneke Immigration in Nebraska 11 After the bank tragedy, Warneke said he went out and and solic- out went he said Warneke tragedy, bank After the sug- Rutledge all, it the heart of is at commonalities Finding the im- overestimate can’t one said the historian, Wunder, like look a lot would in coverage the gap in bridging Success communi- up in the show of will efforts these The benefits I believe part of the reason newspapers are struggling is that struggling is that are newspapers the reason I believe part of Star-Herald Scottsbluff Editor, Frederick, - Steve Editor Commentary on on Commentary Editor Media Today’s same concerns you have in Crete,” he said. “Hispanics in Norfolk in Norfolk “Hispanics said. he in Crete,” have you concerns same have we them…but about know to want surprised we that are incorporate just We as a novelty. minorities treating over gotten robbery A bank in coverage.” regular our as part of this coverage Bank U.S. men entered Hispanic in 2002, in which four Norfolk had the potential customer, one and employees killed four and held a churches the Hispanic of one But Norfolk. polarize to said. Warneke everyone servicehealing in the town, invited and turned the It hurt as the as Caucasians. were “TheHispanics turned tide.” the gesture one That tide. had “I community. the Hispanic from the editor to letters ited he be to heard,” their voices I wanted but before, that never done he said. a good Finding is valuable, spokesperson said. her some visit to came newspaper Asian an of An editor gested. run a story Star how on the Journal suggested that and time ago, everyone makes nearly soup; chicken make ethnicities different those Finding common differences. interesting with but it, in the com- relationships personal up experiences keeping and working especially when you’re she said, important, are munity immigration. like topic emotional an with them improving and those connections developing of portance two or one of be “These term. may the long immigrants over Churches schools. are as connections, are These groups. religious he said. the people,” line to the most direct schools have and In yourself. prove to have you and suspicions natural “Thereare be immediacy everything, an to this can’t and there’s journalism immediate.” press of lots letters, of “Lots said. Frederick board, a bulletin the commu- of all strata from stories photos, of lots releases, for place and a sources “official” than more dependence on nity, stories.” reader-generated teachers Spanish like in the community people ties. Engaging be helpful, would projects in diversity their students involve to crucial that think it’s “I he added, And in the end, said. Wunder be to peaceful people where places communities our want we a good life.” have For more informationFor visit www.unl.edu/sdn/immigration we have allowed special interests to take control of the conversa- of take control to special interests allowed have we the balo- specifically, not; we’re us as define something and tion to a responsibility have Newspapers “liberal media.” ney about supposed- are we but perhaps, egotistical, besounds smart. That have observe intently, research, more do more engaged, more ly put- with wrong nothing There’s memory. institutional greater I newspapers, worst The do. we what into work hard all that ting – all conserva- their readership to pander those that are believe, no stories is conservative, because their audience columnists tive racist, no is quietly because the community Hispanics about wa- conjunctive subsidies or farm of the dynamics about stories coverage. “anti-farm” is hostile to useter because the community takes us. that the truth, wherever be toward biased should We It high. aiming and intelligence respecting people’s means That be to refuses intimi- that A newspaper being courageous. means of left. them many aren’t respect. There will command dated Norfolk’s Warneke moved to Nor- to moved Warneke Norfolk’s ing facility, and has attracted workers workers has attracted and facility, ing as workers as well countries, many from Although Nebraskans. longtime who are nearly mostly Hispanic, are the workers dialects are and languages dozen two doors in Crete in 1975 as a pork process- in 1975 as a pork in Crete doors force. in the work represented dings and births. Farmland opened its its opened Farmland births. and dings folk in 1987, shortly after a meatpacking a meatpacking after in 1987, shortly folk notices of common events such as wed- such events common of notices to bring Crete together, even including even including together, Crete bring to plant went in and the Hispanic popula- the Hispanic in and went plant come forward and act as a liaison, helping helping act as a liaison, and forward come tion nearly doubled, along with the mix with along doubled, nearly tion a leader of the Hispanic community will community the Hispanic a leader of of cultures and ethnicities. “We have a have “We ethnicities. and cultures of Hispanics to be involved,” he said. He hopes hopes He he said. be to involved,” Hispanics n 2 20-member newsroom staff, and we share the we share and staff, 20-member newsroom i e k d y a and we haven’t had great success getting the success getting had great haven’t we and ge C vi vide to us, but frankly, those people have died, died, those have people frankly, us, but vide to ebs of of Czech news that correspondents would pro- would correspondents news Czech that of wee 871,” w ll 1 1871,” Wolfe said. “We used to have a whole page page a whole used have to “We said. Wolfe 1871,” d n shorta shortages. “The Crete News has been around since News has around shortages. “Thebeen Crete a

ace of the ace of Sma Small weekly papers are challenged by the changing changing the by challenged are papers weekly Small f face of their communities, in addition to their staffing their staffing to in addition their communities, face of ts n e m ments and website hits. hits. website and ments The Clipper-Herald offers a free monthly Spanish newspaper newspaper Spanish monthly free a offers The Clipper-Herald so succ measures l a the da discussions called “Que Pasa,” which summarizes the month’s top news sto- top the which summarizes month’s Pasa,” called “Que also added “We’ve she said. ries. “This success,” tangible shows a button, of click website—one our to translation the Spanish she’s even though Spanish,” to is translated page the entire and Tederman to serve language. difficult ofthe all dialects it’s found shop by coffee the efforts the paper’s also success of measures compli- as direct well as publication, after theday discussions that small community. Most of the workers are Hispanic, but but Hispanic, are the workers of Most small community. that other with Sudan, Somalia and from also workers now are there Clipper-Herald “The Lexington frequently. arriving ethnicities of place a Muslim to rent which we building, adjoining an owns and religion the Muslim on do a feature to hoping I’m prayer. might a story of that example as an she explained life,” of way the gap. bridge help STRATEGIC DISCUSSIONS FOR nebraska Not theSame Immigrants, Refugees M communicate facts. the 12 often comethe to United States having linguistically-appropriate assistance. eligible populations with culturally and munities are well-equipped to provide providersresources, com- service inthese Even with limited human and financial placed –Hastings, Lincoln and Omaha. Nebraska where refugees are actually arrival to United the States,” shesaid. possible as quickly as after self-sufficiency gee Resettlement Program on focuses grants. “By federal mandate, Refu- the and resettlement, their not with immi- referenced statuses past. inthe resident once who heldone of other the of trafficking, and any permanentlawful migrants,ondary of victims severe forms Amerasians, Cuban/Haitian entrants, sec- Resettlement Program include asylees, offeredsion of services the Refugee by national inthe or interest. isotherwise year isjustified by humanitarian concerns Unitedthe States during 2008fiscal the The admission of up 80,000 to refugees to admissions within afederal fiscal year. determination on number the of refugee President of United the States issuesa or political opinion. October, Each the membership group, inaparticular social tion on based race, religion, nationality, cause of awell-founded fear of persecu- or unwilling to return to that country be- her country of nationality isunable who ResettlementRefugee Program. fromto receivethe benefits services or however,benefits; they are not eligible eligible forbe public certain assistance another country. immigrants Legal may of nationality to work, study or live in voluntarily leaves hisor hercountry profound differences. they’rebelieve same. allthe But there are into same the category, leading people to with limitedeveryone proficiency English has found that mediatends the to lump ment of Health and Human Services, Coordinator with Nebraska the Depart- She notes that eligible populations There arethree communities in Kutschkau works solely with refugees populationsOther eligible for provi- Conversely, arefugee isoutside hisor By federal definition, an immigrant Kutschkau, State Program Refugee are common, and Kutschkau Christine iseager to yths and stereotypes related to immigrants and refugees ronment, what an can overwhelming be processing, inasafe and familiar envi- orientation enables refugees to begin Unitedin the States. cultural Overseas develop realistic expectations about life cultural orientation isto help refugees or U.S. Embassy. of The overseas purpose takes The first theplace in refugee camp orientations that place take for refugees. providers. allocations are divided among service eral dollars. on funding the source, Based Nebraska exclusively isfunded with fed- community. with languages and cultures to the new a large wave of workers new –sometimes Kutschkau says communities can expect a community. After one raids,these of municates that there are available jobsin in awork site, quickly grapevine the com- and Customs Enforcement raids occur Kutschkau said, and Immigration when to Nebraska on own. their to Minnesota and Texas, and came they live inLexington were primarily resettled andSomali Sudanese refugees now who placement site,” shesaid. For example, the mandate stay that primary inthe they to “And them. our government can’t tions, metropolitan so areas feel big too countries, mostly with smallerpopula- come from agrarian areas home intheir site,”secondary shesaid. Many refugees “Refugees make decision the to go to the munities migrants. may secondary be assimilation of refugees. newly-arrived said, are sought to ongoing assistinthe gations and family sponsors, Kutschkau planning for arrivals. Faith new congre- and language accessisparamount in lawschools, enforcement, housing, health issues related to impact the on business, particular refugee groups. of Discussion ties to viability determine the of resettling consult with avariety of community enti- Statethe Resettlement Refugee Program, settlement agencies, inpartnership with their homefled in countries. Refugee re- sometimes-horrific situations havethey suffered torture and trauma the on based Kutschkau said there are two cultural ResettlementThe Refugee Program in powerful,” is grapevine “The moved who Refugees to smallercom-

with 46languages spoken. 56 different countries are represented, ers student inthe population. Ofthose, there are 2,000non-native speak- English KutschkauSchools, said, indicates that language data from Lincoln Public the many languages are spoken. For example, language,tion inevery considering how But it’s not to print possible informa- the where refugees are likely to receive it. many languages and distributed to sites health and safety information printed in refugee community through providing tion process. the Her serves office also and families to continue accultura- the works with faith-based communities environment, new their her office so ate, language the learn and adjust to need more than 90days to accultur- she said. support for first the 90days afterarrival, circumstances.less-than-ideal There is of information new to absorb under retained,” sheadded, it’s because alot “But most of that information isnot housing and personal safety,” shesaid. butteaches teaches basicsurvival, also domesticthe cultural orientation. It where refugees the are resettled. “That’s community inthe place post-arrival travel. responsibilities, cultural adjustment and money management,health, rights and employment, transportation, education, role of resettlement the agency, housing, resettlement: pre-departure processing, topics related to processing, travel and cultural orientation addresses 11essential amount of information. new Overseas Kutschkau recognizes that refugees secondcultural The orientationtakes Immigration in Nebraska 13 allenge some of the statistics the statistics of some allenge He has heard stories about the difficulties encountered by encountered the difficulties about stories has heard He had 12 “We he said. also troubling, are job sites Raids on during to California, trip describedrecent his This employer ch to be interesting would It the on a burden whether the than issue of they’re more It’s wary people some those makes they of in the shadows Living community,” an ignorant is not community “TheHispanic he border, States the Mexico-United on And if a wall is built For more informationFor visit www.unl.edu/sdn/immigration then we give them appropriate time to straighten it out and if and out it straighten time to them appropriate give then we them.” release to have then we they can’t, “For inLincoln. office the immigration trying to people go to trying their paper- get of to the process through go to someone sothey difficult, it make out—they frustrate straightened work user-friendly,” isn’t government The do it. sopeople they don’t he said. them. It questioned workers ICE and a job site, on employees your all have you it…do about Think death. them to scared working there out all times, when you’re at you with paperwork now right you with have you do identification much How hard? legal?” are you prove to you asked if someone the immigration about a radio show hear to which he happened I hand, the other on “But burden. is a big it that and situation, anyone have if they there didn’t do out they’d what know don’t their their strawberries, grapes…they pick their lettuce, pick to the mi- of some without harvest to be their crops able wouldn’t said. this employer workers,” grant see any and whether in the media, he said, they have quoted really whether a specific ethnicity example, them. For to validity with concerns the state’s or the country’s of portion is a large of number a large of the influx whether it’s or criminal activity, enforcement law some say group, The 18-34 age people. young younger than criminal activity has more statistically personnel, investi- to be interesting would Other statistics groups. older or on a drain really are as whether such these he said, workers gate, the country. of areas other his- family’s My he said. think they are,” don’t “I economy. U.S. country)… (another from thing…came tory kind of is the same to have They didn’t hard. English, worked understand didn’t noted. he a difference,” that’s though, and in the shadows, live the is part of said, this employer Language, understand. don’t speaking people hear “Why to like Spanish. Some don’t problem. don’t “I he said. bother me,” is beyond people would Spanish to have to going are People prejudice.” just it’s that; understand coun- another from come when you that he said, understand, that other came from who to people flock to going are you try, “They talk language the did historically. people like just country, the For as they English go. a little up then they pick they know, by verythe good,but aren’t skills English their generation, first he said. very usually good,” it’s second generation “They tryto he said. theybecause needed here came improve to of A lot they from. wherever came from living of their standard settled they’ve and time ago, a long illegally here over them came generation 3rd had 2nd and they’ve families, raised in, they’ve he said. our country,” of citizens great are These here. people or to terrorists, be going are they fear that toreason “There is no a chance given I think if they are that. like anything or gangsters what ‘hey, say this era and on look back we’ll stay, to allowed and were we worried about?’” the wall? who will build to been given thought has any said, this of coordinator the to known is employer this of identity * The can Both advisory board. SDN the of a member to and project veracity. his for vouch

I have a hard time imagining where we would would we where time imagining a hard I have the Hispanic have didn’t if we force work our get

Homeland Security has given employers the option of using using of the option Security employers has given Homeland And what happens when new laws exclude immigrants? immigrants? exclude when new laws happens And what “These talk shows quote things, and if you repeat repeat them you if and things, “Thesequote talk shows This employer is concerned that some actions by media the actions some is concerned that This employer “The Hispanics are our best workers; the most loyal. They’ll most loyal. the our workers; best are “TheHispanics This employer’s long experience in business and with the His- with the and experience business in long This employer’s His company employs several hundred workers, both skilled workers, several hundred employs company His community. If they ship them all back, there will will there them all back, they ship If community. a Nebraska said state,” least in our void—at be a big anonymous.* remain who to asked employer a software program called E-Verify to determine legal status of of legal status determine to called E-Verify program a software and social or her name his provides The employee employees. and the name and in the system if they are and security number, be hired. may and is a legal worker the employee match, number the case of In said. this employer work,” always doesn’t it “But and name, or her mother’s keeps his a person often Hispanics, or “They three too. have name, might maiden maybe mother’s mix them up if you be can a problem that Now, names. four he match,” doesn’t it the card…so on what’s remember don’t and right, it get can’t if we and times, try four may or three “We said. “Oklahoma has passed some laws that are tougher on the on tougher are that has passed laws some “Oklahoma was law the (after that I understand and community, Hispanic the leaving employees of was full pickup after passed) pickup trying people hire to up, billboards are there now and state, other from will try steal employees to People he said. workers,” for work to money more workers offering he said, companies, are “We stop?” does he said. it “Where company. the other petrified.” enough times, people accept them as facts. I hear that these them as facts. that I hear accept times, people enough my but system, the health care on a drain causing are workers to here to miss a day; they’re want They sick. don’t never get guys they are but them send home, of back money A lot earn money. said. he economy,” the for money generating still may be negatively impacting public opinion concerning workers workers concerning opinion public impacting be negatively may immigra- of disapproval a general creating countries, other from of the formation even encouraging perhaps and nationwide tion immigrants. exclude or immigration regulate to new laws be there on time, do the hardest jobs with no complaints, and and no complaints, jobs with do the hardest time, on be there And they he said. them,” everything do for you they appreciate been his company with have employees—many long-term are they’re reliable; “They more are generations. three or two for trouble; cause they don’t directions; they follow there; always see that things these terrorist I don’t trouble. into get they don’t drugs like into aren’t people our and about, talking are people he said. they are,” saying are people panic work force gives perspective to the immigration issue. Ne- issue. the perspective immigration to gives force work panic its small population, to due states some from is different braska There force. the needed work form to people fewer are so there the influx even with in his business, workers for is competition he the workers tries keep to He countries. other from workers of new people. has, while recruiting and unskilled, and says Hispanic workers comprise 80 percent of of 80 percent comprise workers Hispanic says and unskilled, and commu- our a very part of think they viable are “I his new hires. back the Hispanics sent them, and eliminated just if we and nity, suffer.” would be, this community might their roots wherever to

“ An Employer’s View Employer’s An STRATEGIC DISCUSSIONS FOR nebraska Staying Power to Scottsbluff’s Self-Reliance Key Independence, Y improve quality the of life for allpeople. and each other to grow communities their and rely kindwho independent –the sort on themselves But people the Panhandle callthe who home are the sparsely-populated, by even Nebraska standards. 14 in at a population of 9,600, and Sidney, an also hour from about 8,000.Alliance, an hour’s drive from Scottsbluff, weighs years. Its next-door-neighbor community –holds at --Gering celebration. Maintaining population isasuccess;growth iscause for make efforts to peoplethewhoretain live there. people to come to communities, their and own” but model, proactively also recruit handle are using “grow the your elsewhere. longer than would recruits from may happier be and thus, stay communitiesthe and they educations.their know They to return after completethey community’s young people encourages which model, the “grow the to use your own” to attract say them, some, is communities. waybest The and other professionals to their doctors, nurses, attorneys, dentists face thechallenges of attracting settled. Scottsbluff areathe community since was characterized Panhandle the and specifically,the kota Sioux. Thediversity ethnicitiesof culturesand have tion United inthe States and home tribal the of La- Oglala the Pinethe Ridge Indian second-largest the Reservation, reserva- munity home. their North of Panhandle, the inSouth Dakota, is areas of Midwest. the Many stayed, choosing to make com- the earlyin the 1900s,following planting the inmany and harvest migrant Hispanic farm workers worked crops the beginning Germansthe from Russia to began other area, take jobsinthe thatlook trademark. wastheir the After settledarea was and the 19thcentury. The community still bears the tidy, manicured came to work potato the andthe middle fieldsin sugar of beet Scottsbluff hasheld populationits at about 15,000 forseveral Many of towns the Pan- inthe Smaller communities continually ScottsbluffThe settled was Germans area by from who Russia Panhandle, and towns the you willfind are ou won’t findalot of towns in Nebraska’s u was an it

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the eastern part of part eastern the Nebraska who th e h p a make day’s the drive to area. the The residents a feel bit likethey’ve story. been forgottenbeen sincethey’re far so little, but don’t give whole the them planning, rural America Concern foreducation, them tothem know, or tell just them a ism –tell outsiders what you want There’s ahint also of protection- away, according to one leader. local T Immigration in Nebraska 15 Overview The Native American population frustrates businessmen businessmen frustrates American population Native The not are other communities neighboring and Scottsbluff more are there noted mayor, Scottsbluff Randy Meininger, one thing: to down comes in Scottsbluff living said Kuckkahn For more informationFor visit www.unl.edu/sdn/immigration That increases by generation, he said. “Most immigrants who immigrants “Most he said. generation, by increases That American the Native but he said, do well,” to want here come cases. story in many is a different population under- and of leadership is a lack There he said. Kosman, like he thinks is part the system reservation and he said, standing, he kids in school is a challenge, Native Keeping issue. that of move people and because the nomadic tribesaid, is culturally frequently. the state below is well income family in fact,wealthy; the annual Manager. City Scottsbluff Kuckkahn, Rick to according average, reli- is community the thread through running The common in many important are groups support church and he said, gion, busi- and people of acculturation including roles, community rooted deeply it’s and religion, on nesses. “Thisfounded is area be to decision a there’s “When he said. in everything do,” we do?’” to thing the right ‘is this morally all ask ourselves we made, neighborhood-based most are in the region; 200 churches than fact, a neighborhood. In or the in a region needs to cater and in role take a bigger see to the like churches he’d said, Meininger Medicaid. reducing all in this together.” “we’re “We’re all in this together” “We’re Overall, he said, there is lots of cultural mixing in the Scotts- mixing cultural of is lots there Overall, he said, Despite the challenges, “immigration has made us what we we has made us what “immigration the challenges, Despite Hod Kosman, Chairman, President and CEO of Platte Valley Valley Platte CEO of and President Chairman, Kosman, Hod bluff area and many businesses are owned by ethnic minorities. by ethnic minorities. owned are businesses many and area bluff are (in Scottsbluff),” Kosman said. “We’ve been assimilating been assimilating “We’ve said. Kosman (in Scottsbluff),” are but community, our has added to it since 1920 and immigrants false instance, For us, too.” on pressures tremendous put has it undocu- the bag if an holding a banker leave can documentation he explained. a loan, on defaults is deported and worker mented National Bank in Scottsbluff, is another person who talks. person another is “The in Scottsbluff, Bank National he said, high school in Nebraska,” class is theGED class largest so barriers the a struggle cultural sometimes cross to it’s and is the way education be that persuaded can population diverse impor- far less is education one culture, In self-sufficiency. to around moving culture, in another things; other are than tant another kids in school; in yet keeping is a barrier to frequently only something – it’s be to educated acceptable not it’s culture, do. people white happen, and it’s even worse in the communities,” he said in a he said in the communities,” even worse it’s and happen, the dropout about concerned is deeply Harms interview. recent everyone not will schools…something Nebraska in western rate education, depends on the future of Employment talk about. require and technical increasingly becoming as jobs are he said, as labor unskilled for and less need is less specificskills. There sit- people of population a large he fears and he said, by, go years in efforts been not proactive who have idle in communities ting their residents. educate to

“Immigration has made us what we are”

TSBLUFF T STRATEGIC DISCUSSIONS FOR nebraska LEXING 16 lined the streetslined the of town; the business were and industry thriving. I facility began operations inLexington in1990.Many Lexington Afterthem. many months beef processing of the remodeling, decided that, with some remodeling, facility the would work for impact it would have on Main Street,” Brown said. part ofcare community. the –every “We wanted to know what option would law have enforcement, services, on social health to occupy facility, the seriously they considered impact the each to movenesses to Lexington and occupy that facility. much of timefor their about ayear and ahalfto recruit busi- community. Agroup of about Lexington seven leaders devoted ManagerGeneral of KRVN and Lexington inthe aleader Radio movedpeople away. inside. It took with also it many jobs;homes went up for sale; its manufacturing facility large so that 12football fields could fit High QualityofLifeforEveryone That’swhen representatives of Beef ProcessorsIowa (IBP) When team the of Lexington looked leaders for businesses “We neededacompany tothat fill building,”said Eric Brown, Then alarge manufacturing business left leavingtown, vacant farmers were still planting and harvesting the same land their ancestors farmed 100years ago; neat homes n the late 1980s,Lexington was still asmall farming community inthe fertile Platte Valley. Lexington Overview

and quality of life,” hesaid. auditorium.middle school you So dothings for humanities prior to that we built an aquatic park. We just remodeled the hospital;a good we’ve aton raised of money for library; anew attractive place to live. We’ve recruited teachers; good we have well, nothing stays same. the What to doismake you it an try Brown said. “When people say Lexington haschanged forever, most are from Sudan and with Somalia, afew from Ethiopia. Although mostare Latino, there are afewstudents from Africa; Lexingtonthe are Public Schools about 75percent non-white. But there are businesses intown that are owned by Latinos; farm the land of their ancestors; neat homes still line the streets. at IBP(now Tyson). work there. Instead, immigrant workers flocked the jobs fill to residents started working inthe facility, Brown said, but few still “We have same minority the percentage Angeles,” asLos In the years since then, Lexington has changed. Farmers still T Immigration in Nebraska 17 “My pie-in-the-sky dream,” he said, “is that every be “is that he said, student dream,” pie-in-the-sky “My experience of school in leading has a good bit Chessmore goes discussion that by harsh offended are “we he said, But, kids and when he looks at potential sees only Chessmore community, accepting an community, is a positive Lexington Lexington lifelong of group core the strong credits Tederman Lex- from news stories been legitimate have there so, Even road- the biggest issues are communication said Tederman to about small community another to advice give to I were “If actu- ruin to their city; it’s going not it’s them that also tell “I’d

For more informationFor visit www.unl.edu/sdn/immigration graduate knowing two languages, regardless of their ethnicity. their ethnicity. of regardless languages, two knowing graduate high – before languages two in write and read to – able biliterate to has English system The teaching beenLa- school graduation.” emphasis more placing is now but years, many for tino students English is their first whom for students to Spanish teaching on enter young people as these great will The be benefits language. biliter- those to who are will be given Preference the job market. ethnicity. of regardless ate, with nine years he spent populations; districts non-white with the Reservation is “probably schools, which, he said, Indian on His focus is Nebraska.” of inthe system state most difficult with be happy students “helping child, the whole with dealing move to aspirations have in life, their lot in and the skin they’re he said. people,” other help and on we that forget we And sometimes immigration. concerning on but country only kids they know, when is this affecting the are offense strong And I take pretty here. welcome theysay aren’t children.” anyone’s on harsh be and can so we uncaring that success. The gradua- constitutes focuses what schools, on and scholarships; and awards winning are is good; students rate tion hir- now jobs. “We’re getting they’re college; to on going they’re of graduates now are that students Latino our of some back ing are so there program, our to Nebraska-Kearney of the University in Lexington.” on good going things really of a lot Lindsey to Tederman, according community, ever-changing an and people, are “People Clipper-Herald. the Lexington of editor I but color, be they a different may accent, an have they may a family, raise all trying – work, thing do the same to think we’re cohesively.” together live com- the entire model to for forward come who have residents also They have population. the immigrant in accepting munity thriving. the community keeping at hard worked the and the community, for been positive haven’t that ington based concern these stories on Lexington of opinions outside papers, other by up picked are the stories When Tederman. the high inserting a phraseresist about can’t “they she said, be not may or which may Lexington, of population immigrant the to story.” relevant the said She community. the diverse acculturating to block popula- the Caucasian to similar has a culture population Latino cultures. dissimilar Africa the new from have arrivals but tion, them helping for responsible is who about is uncertainty There for designated groups no funds or are there she said; acculturate, the com- for complicated a bit it makes that purpose, and that munity. be to would it business, large other or plant a meatpacking get been in the commu- who have people of group a core assemble Tederman page,” the same them on get and time, a long for nity said. the Take grow. to going it’s their economy, improve to going ally be proactive those, and with work and positive are that things reactive.” of instead

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The Lexington Public Schools are led by Superintendent of Superintendent by led are Public Schools The Lexington “Most of the people who are moving the community forward forward the community moving who the people are of “Most “We’re trying to establish a 12-member Multicultural Com- trying Multicultural a 12-member establish to “We’re Dennis Burnside, Assistant City Manager in Crete, believes it believes it in Crete, Manager City Assistant Dennis Burnside, Schools Todd Chessmore, who believes that all students should should all students who believes that Chessmore, Schools Todd think this (immigration) is a good thing and try is a good and thing be to think welcom- this (immigration) are businesses new well; is doing The economy he said. ing,” in school. are students opening; mission,” Burnside said, on which most of the ethnicities in the ethnicities which most of on said, Burnside mission,” to volunteered have Latinos of A number represented. are town is com- office getto also the trying Burnside’s serve, and he said, involved. Africans munity’s Totally Positive Totally a community of residents existing for two or takesa generation for waiting by sitting not is his office but new residents, accept to representatives assuring that forward, moving it’s happen; to that the table.” “at are every Lexington from of part T STRATEGIC DISCUSSIONS FOR nebraska Crete—A CityofContrasts their culture,their and foods religion. immigrants, influenced who the community with Russia, it later home became to an influx of Czech southwest of Founded Lincoln. by Germans from C 18 Crete Today small this to country over the from all students ing to recruit new, continu- buildings aside park-like setting, old lege stands on ahillin Col- has since1872.Doane out newspaper, aweekly asit town corner, continues to churn is for adults. market, and that alanguage to for iseasier learn children than it knowwho two languages well willhave an advantage job inthe is one of many Nebraska superintendents students believe who program. Kyle McGowan, Superintendent of inCrete, Schools in addition to its thriving English Language (ELL) Learners and teaching Spanish to students asearly askindergarten ing to needsof meetthe its ever-changing student population, hospital. wasbuilt middleschool new nearly four years ago; there’s anew station gleams downtown. Infrastructure improved; isbeing but foods, of fireethnic Anew change evidence iseverywhere. restaurant that its closed doors years afew ago and missits longtime Crete residents remember locally-famous the Czech downtown isachange which district, from past.Many the spoken plant, inthe headded. from other countries. Seventeen languages and are dialects now past,andin the currently employs smallernumbers of workers said, plant the hasemployed large numbers of Asian workers chiefly Mexico and countriesCentral America. inBut, Crisman plant hasattracted immigrant workers from many countries – longtime Farmland employee. In last20years, the Farmland the work there, according to Tom Crisman, Mayor of Crete and a employs about 1,800workers and many travel long distances to cility aslaughtering isboth and manufacturing plant. The plant 1975. Farmland processes pork products, and Farmland this fa- landscape of Crete sinceit opened its doors for business in system knownschool for excellence inacademicsand sports. high-quality education. Crete ishome to aprogressive public a private and arts college liberal sciences known nationally for The Crete locatedNews, on adown- Crete isafew blocks Public down Schools street, the chang- Latino-owned restaurants and other businesses dot Crete’s It’s home also to Farmland Foods,haschanged which the Crete home to hasbeen since1872;Doaneis DoaneCollege located inSalineCounty about 20miles rete isacommunity of about 6,500people, n e rner, e e c s d tinu 1872.Doane settin asi kly newspaper,kly asit ruit s on ahillin d

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White (Caucasian) American Indian 902000 1990 Crete Demographics Asian orPacificIslander Hispanic (ofallorigins) African American Community Division–RealorPerceived? educated and people are who not; people work who inmanu- much an issueof raceasit isadivide people are between who is araceissue, others –including Latino –say leaders it isn’t so communities, real or perceived. While some voices indicate it found avariety of opinions regarding reasons the for divides in ent of because community’s the smallpopulation. creates adichotomy community; inthis it more isallthe appar- anationally-rankedboth college and ameat processing facility, there. incentive program to persuade more Doane employees to live ofber faculty andwho staff live inCrete, and hasintroduced an some people. However, Brand would like to increase num- the direction, and conveniences the of alarger city are attractive to half live there. Part of that Lincoln hasgrown isbecause inthat 80 percent of Doane’s faculty and staff lived inCrete; today only tional activities and inCrete. social Many years ago, more than Cretethe community; college the already hostsmany educa- hopes to expand associations college the between and rest the of community. Statewide, Strategic Discussions for Nebraska researchers Crete’s mixof ethnicities, combined with presence the of Jonathan Brand, President of Doane since2005, College Other facturing facilities asopposed to people who work asprofessors, doctors or lawyers; people are who compared poor to p eo p people who arepeople who not. p

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The Th r u n e o majority, howev- Immigration in Nebraska 19 Overview Some of the employees at Farmland are undocumented, ac- undocumented, are Farmland at the employees Some of undocu-the among fear of the researchers SDN told first He to like don’t families and their workers The undocumented don’t “I said, Tvrdy Father level, national or the state on But wants to include them in the Crete News, Wolfe said. He hopes hopes He said. Wolfe News, them in the Crete include to wants covered in which volunteers custom, old an re-introduce to stories or columns wrote and in the community social events to he will be able happen, that make he can If the newspaper. for his as manage as well population Crete’s of all segments include staffing shortage. Catholic Heart Sacred of pastor Tvrdy, Julius Father to cording very are near School James Catholic St. and church The Church. James St. in of students the district. Fifty percent the downtown said. Tvrdy Learners English Language (ELL), Father School are also Vietnamese some are there but Latino, those of are Most James all the kids in St. is for his goal that said He students. be – to biliterate. Spanish write and School read learn to to fear out, found Theyfear being Farmland. at workers mented he happen, to were if that their families for fear deportation, shy them makes and quiet lives live makes people fear That said. devout usually are Latinos activities. community from away works who speaks fluently, Spanish Tvrdy, Father and Catholics, the Caucasian to in addition Catholics the Latino with closely try activities to various continues He the population. of segment their increase involve- and methodstheir decrease fear to and here who people are to out is reaching He in the church. ment become and serve them to committees encouraging on legally, that will follow others that in hopes activities in other involved lead. to be prefer Theywould said. Tvrdy Father hide in the shadows, he workers,” migrant industrial are Hispanics “Our legally. here become a legal to process impossible a “long, it’s and explained, moving of no way there’s card, a green there’s Unless resident. themselves.” they improve can no way forward, issue.” this complicated part of any addressing anybody hear Managing Fear For more informationFor visit www.unl.edu/sdn/immigration

Josh Wolfe, editor of The Crete News, believes any problems problems News,any believes The Crete of editor Wolfe, Josh “The world has changed,” McGowan said, and Crete schools Crete and said, McGowan changed,” “The has world One of the ways Crete schools are communicating with the with communicating schools are Crete the ways One of Constant communication is one of the keys to engaging the engaging the to keys of is one communication Constant Nearly four years ago, the schools hired a bilingual counselor. counselor. a bilingual the schools hired ago, years four Nearly McGowan believes the process of acculturation begins in the begins acculturation of believes the process McGowan Bridging the Gap – The Crete News with negativity are few; he occasionally gets letters to the edi- to few; letters gets are he occasionally negativity with very by few written they are says them, but publishes and tor cover- of the gap in bridging involved is actively Wolfe people. communi- increase to hoping ethnic groups, between Crete’s age has a small his newspaper However, understanding. and cation in on community. the going all the events cover can’t and staff – not in Crete social all the news and events cover to wants He community, in the Latino but community, in the white only to he seems be surprised that community The Latino as well. are changing with it. with changing are Latino population is through a Hispanic Parents Night. “We “We Night. Parents a Hispanic is through population Latino he network,” communication informal our on work needed to communicate.” to ways good, multiple schools have “Good said. various ethnicities, he indicated, and knowing how everyone is how knowing and he indicated, ethnicities, various use to enough not It’s is important. communicating comfortable For ethnicities. varied with communication of forms normal he employee, a bilingual hire to wants if McGowan example, theadvertises Internet. on “Our premise is that the system works, but you have to be able to to be to able have you but works, the system is that premise “Our counselor That said. McGowan work,” doesn’t Osmosis access it. advocacy roles. and also serves in outreach Learning and Communication their class- of cultures and learn languages schools, as children the Crete be to sure programs is implementing McGowan mates. is One example direction. in a positive move to schools continue kids succeed, more help designed to plan, diversity the schools’ Crete. of the culture understand students also helps It he said. er, say the Crete economy would crash if those workers left, and and left, crash if those workers would economy the Crete say er, to English English-speakers and native to Spanish teaching that results. positive only have can Spanish-speakers native CRETE STRATEGIC DISCUSSIONS FOR nebraska OMAHA 20 Omaha –aSprawlingTapestry ofDiversityonthe Plains D ing amanuscript both on that and achievement adocumentary inOmaha, isconductingporter aresearch study and isproduc- University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Creighton, aformer re- crime College ofin the Journalism and Mass Communications at the ment gap in black males,according to Trina Creighton, lecturer with poverty and violence, aswell of crisis asthe an achieve- eral notable events 1960s.North inthe Omahatoday struggles of depth the of racisminOmahaat that time. ican by name the of Willie Brown in1919wasanother signpost throughout Midwest; the and lynching the of an African-Amer- anti-Greek Omaha’s riot in1909dispersed Greek population Catholics and American the Protective Association; aviolent well. Americans immigrated to Nebraska from other locations, as migrants and refugees have arrived last50years. inthe Native first 100 years of immigration; LatinoAsian, im- and African and Europe eastern northern southern, were included inthe of various religions and ethnicities, from Mexico Africa, and tocloser coaststhan the to continue to travel inland. People centerin the of United the States; it to waseasier stay incities people. unusua Thiswasespecially over years, the it by wassettled an exceptionally diverse mixof What makes Omahadifferentthansome communitiesthat, is difficult throughout difficult the city’s history, and Omaha continuesdeal to with varioustoday. issues yearsthe on based that hard-working However, beginning. and ethnic racerelations city inthe have been Confrontations throughout occurred history, including sev- Ethnic hostilities took place city’s the 1890sbetween inthe Omaha, like allof Nebraska, by wassettled immigrants. Overview the citythe in1854.Omahahasgrown acenter to be iversity isnothing to Omaha;it’s new ascommon hard asthe work of immigrants the founded who l because ofl because Omaha’s location Immigration inOmahaToday grants from many countries, Omahaisone of Nebraska’s three differencesOther separate Mexicansfrom Guatemalans. different histories and reasons for leavingtheir native land. differences; Cubans and Salvadorans, for example, have vastly among groups that might appear outwardly similar there are a vastdiversity of problems and issues,” Partsch said. Even English. –studentsbody first language whose something was than other fied morethan two dozen linguistic groups among its student students from China,heexplained. areas of political South America, refugees from and Somalia Russia, Muslims from members from Balkans, the tribe remote a hostof Latin American countries. Immigrants are Jews from people insearchBosnia, of abetter life, legally or illegally, from professionalsbe from and Asia, Africa political refugees from or even adozen groups,” hesaid. Immigrants inOmahacan in Omahaiscomplex. “We are not talking about one group, Omaha World-Herald, any disc “the lossof ageneration of young, black men.” gap. She hopes that awareness what willcurb Creighton calls of banking, insurance and meat processing over In addition to acity being that continues to attract immi- “With vastdiversity this of immigrant the population comes At one time, Partsch said, identi- OmahaPublic the Schools According to Frank Partsch, retired editorial editor for the ussion of immigration issues Immigration in Nebraska 21

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African American u Population and Perspective

For more informationFor visit www.unl.edu/sdn/immigration

them to treat you -- “if we keep that in mind as we deal with deal with as we in mind that keep -- “if we you treat them to them?” denigrate disrespect we or can how people, total The surpasses growing. area 800,000 and metropolitan the to according 1.8 million, is about Nebraska of population 2006, which is the most recent for Census estimate 2000 U.S. most densely the by far is Nebraska of The parteastern estimate. regions Panhandle and the Sandhills the state; of part populated to Omaha The distance from populated. the most sparsely are is 474 miles, while distance the from example, for Scottsbluff, 468 miles. is Chicago Omaha to to contrast in stark are economy and population terrain, culture, 500 companies several to Fortune Omaha is home another. one to access Its medicine. and insurance banking, of is a center and activities cultural and care health entertainment, transportation, Omaha lies that be forget easy can to It cities. larger much rivals pro- is #2 in cattle that – one state a largely-agricultural within the world’s feed to helps country; in the whole that duction one com- other with competes that fuel; food one and for hunger in rural areas; providers care health for states other and munities rural communi- in its population struggles maintain that to one from Scottsbluff to traveling of means is the chief ties. Driving service air is no commercial between the two Omaha; there they have say in Scottsbluff Some stakeholders communities. in the smaller another one on and themselves on rely learned to to wants a community If they other. need each communities; shop needs to the community instance, for a grocerykeep store, there’s business, of goes out store if one city, a larger In there. another. always cities larger to their trips of many Omaha, though and Lincoln Their closer. hours which are Cheyenne, and Denver to are the western to drive to less likely much are counterparts urban the of editor Frederick, Steve to According the state. part of road doesgo “the ways.” both Star-Herald, Scottsbluff o

Hispanic ( of all origins)

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* Other Omaha Asian or Pacific Islander Demographics 1990 2000 American Indian White (Caucasian)

tstages like us, rather than not like like not than us, rather like Byndon is aware of the many situations from which refugees which refugees from situations the many of is aware Byndon Additionally, Byndon said it is critical that the voices are “at “at are the voices that is critical it said Byndon Additionally, Byndon spent two years in the Peace Corps after he gradu- Corps after in the Peace years two spent Byndon Byndon believes historical demographics indicate there is there indicate demographics believes historical Byndon “My job is to try to help low-income people – people who are who – people are people try job is to low-income help to “My A’Jamal Byndon, Senior Director for Advocacy for Catholic Catholic for Advocacy for Senior Director Byndon, A’Jamal and immigrants flee. “When you think in terms of people of who people terms think in you “When flee. immigrants and us.” the table.” In committee and board meetings and other inter- other and meetings board and committee In the table.” the very sure are we make people to have “we he said, actions, often We the continuum. – both sides of there are about talking who are scale folks to our balance ated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He met his wife met his wife He Nebraska-Lincoln. of the University from ated to he decided States the United to when he returned and there, experience in Africa His was life-changing, the poor. with work in dealing mission his personal the basis for formed and he said, how begin describe to cannot Nebraskans to “I the poor. with me as if I was who had very treated little strangers sometimes to remembers he always said He he said. their relatives,” of one he the disenfranchised Omaha in the way same of people treat in Africa guest. – as a valued was treated a caste system in this country. “I try to change structures so structures try “I change to in this system country. a caste he their caste,” into and poverty into locked no longer are people who person” justice described as a “social himself He explained. only not others, of inclusive bebelieves need to all people more mother His ideology. also of but gender, race and of in the areas modeling her role and was a social activist, he said, justice helped career. lead his chosen him to at the bottom. I also try to bring people together from different different from I also try together people bring the bottom. to at try “I he said. to structures,” try in Omaha and sectors change to to the ‘have-nots’ deal with do not who traditionally people get to a com- of committed being issue The whole that. of do more he said. together,” try the world bring a state…I to munity, Charities in Omaha, has spent 25 years with Catholic Charities, Charities, Catholic with 25 years has spent in Omaha, Charities Omaha. of the disenfranchised population helping federal refugee resettlement locations; locations; resettlement refugee federal Hastings. and Lincoln are two the other from people welcome These cities three stages all in different countries, different many job seeking. and learning language acculturation, of legal protection under this country’s the U.S. to Refugees come emo- and physical great endured have many persecution; from U.S. organiza- Several to the coming to prior suffering tional immi- help States; in the United resettle to refugees help tions when necessary;grants poor meet their needs. people help and STRATEGIC DISCUSSIONS FOR nebraska SPRING 2002VOL. 12/NO. 1 tion” on of“Culture theGreat Latinos Plains: anIntroduc- andEcology Plains Research. FALL 2000VOL. 10/NO. 2 rence P. Hernandez, Jennifer D. Schroeder, and AniYazedjian 387 Great andRecommendationsdigms for Practice” for inthePlains: New“Rethinking Para- Latinos Human Services 305 Great Plains Research. FALL 2000VOL. 10/NO. 2 andSubregionalgional Analysis” “Global Forces Population andLatino Growth ARe- intheMidwest: Schnepf 295Great Plains Research. FALL 2000VOL. 10/NO. 2 Women”panic “The Questionnaire among an Use of Ethnic Frequency Food His- Keith Mueller 275Great Plains Research. FALL 2000VOL. 10/NO. 2 Processing Communities” “Health-Care Utilization andtheStatus inRural of Meat- Latinos VOL. 10/NO. 2 Elicitation Study” “Attitudes Toward Oldtimers Latino of Selected Newcomers: APhoto Great Plains Research. FALL 2000VOL. 10/NO. 2 “Latinos on theGreat Plains: An Overview” Plains Research. FALL 2000VOL. 10/NO. 2 SPECIAL inthe LatinoExperince Great ISSUE: Plains. The Regional Journal: Issue: August 2007 Author: Matt A.Barreto Voters” Candidates Latino andtheMobilization Puede! “¡Si, Se of Latino Journal: Issue: Jun. 2006 Author: Frank D. Susan Bean, K.Brown and Rubén G.Rumbaut “Mexican Immigrant Incorporation” Political andEconomic Journal: Issue: Jun. 2006 Author: Richard Alba Dream” andtheAmerican “Mexican Americans Immigrant Annual of Index First Assimilation for The Manhattan Institute’sCenter for Civic Innovation Author: Jacob Vigdor, Professor, Duke University “Measuring Immigrant Assimilation intheUnited States” Journal: Issue: Jun. 2006 Author: Luis Fraga M.Segura R. and Gary LatinImmigration” American Effects of “Culture Contesting Notions Clash? Identity of andthe American Journal: Issue: March 2007 Pearson Authors: Jack Citrin, Amy Michael Lerman, Murakami, and Kathryn Identity?” “Testing Huntington: Is Immigration Hispanic aThreat to American Policy Foreign Author: Huntington, Samuel. 2004 challenge The Hispanic National Selected ReadingListonImmigration 22 Gustavo Carlo, Miguel A.Carranza, and Byron L.Zamboanga 3 American Political Association Science PS: Political Science &Politics PS: Political Science &Politics Perspectives Perspectives on Politics Linda S.Boeckner,Linda Susan A.Jordan, and Marilynn I. D. 253.Great A.Lopez Plains Research. FALL 2000

Joe Blankenau, Joni and Boye-Beaman, Lourdes Gouveia and Rogelio Saenz Robert P. Robert Moreno, Law- Refugio I. Rochín 243. I.Rochín Refugio Great Great 1997 Stull, Julian Samora Research Institute Research No. Report 26August Study of Lexington, Nebraska” “Latino Immigrants, Meatpacking, ACase and Rural Communities: Research.Labor 2007 Omaha’s Meatpacking Industry” Immigrant Organizing“Si, Workers Latino Puede: Se inSouth FALL 2004VOL. 14/NO. 2 Steve and Larrick, Blanca Ramirez-Salazar 219Great Plains Research. munity inNebraska” “A Study Case of theImpact of Population InfluxCom- on a Small 291-309 Great Plains Research. SPRING 2003VOL. 13/NO. 2 County,son Nebraska” Case of Economy: The Daw- Impact “The of Immigration local on a 13SPRINGArbelaez 2002VOL. 12/NO. 1 Friday“Good inOmaha,Nebraska: AMexican Celebration” Local FALL 2005VOL. 15/NO. 2 Steven E.Gunkel, Shobe, Jr. and Bennie 297Great Plains Research. dential Segregation intheHeartland” “Becoming Neighbors or Remaining Strangers? andResi- Latinos Research. FALL 2004VOL. 14/NO. 2 A.Abbott,chelle Douglas L.Dalla, and Julie Johnson 335Great Plains “Epilogue: We Welcome theNew Immigrants” Award] Great Plains Research. FALL 2004VOL. 14/NO. 2 Media” “A View of Resettlement Refugee Sudanese through Nebraska’s Print braska” “Latinos AlongCentral thePlatte: in Ne- Experience The Hispanic State Plains Research. FALL 2004VOL. 14/NO. 2 John Gaber, Sharon Gaber, Jeff Vincent,Boellstorff 165 Darcyand Great “An Analysis of Resettlement Refugee Patterns intheGreat Plains” 163 Great Plains Research. FALL 2004VOL. 14/NO. 2 John DeFrain, A.Abbott, Douglas Dalla, Rochelle and Julie Johnson “New Immigrants intheGreat Plains: Strengths andChallenges” Gonzalez-Kruger 231Great Plains Research. FALL 2004VOL. 14/NO. 2 Francisco L.Dalla, Rochelle Villarruel, Sheran C.Cramer, and Gloria “Examining Strengths of Rapid Rural andChallenges Immigration” SPRING 2003VOL. 13/NO. 1 Great Plains, 1990-2000” “Changes inAsian Population andHispanic of the intheCities 43 Great Plains Research. SPRING 2003VOL. 13/NO. 1 Post-Frontier Great Plains” “Geography of Population the within andRedistribution Change Truett 3Great Plains Research. SPRING 2003VOL. 13/NO. 1 andImplications forthe Great Management” Plains: AReview “Migrations in and Grazing of Philosophies Communities Grassland Research. SPRING 2002VOL. 12/NO. 1 Muguía-Wellman, Sari Lubin, and Teresa 75Great Lartigue Plains theHealth-Care System”with “Latino Families inthePerinatal Period: Cultural Issues inDealing Mary S.Willis Mary and Constance J. Fernald Hewes 271[2004Leslie Roger P. Davis 27SPRING 2002VOL. 12/NO. 1 James Potter, Cantarero, Rodrigo X.Winson Yan, Orn Bodvarsson and Bodvarsson Hendrik Orn van denBerg Evelyn 75Great Ravuri Plains Research. J. Clark Archer and Richard E.Lonsdale J. Martín Maldonada-Durán, Maria by Lourdes Gouveia and Donald D. Jackie Gabriel Springer, Journal of Ana-María Gonzalez Wahl, John DeFrain, Ro- Maria S. Joe C.

Organizations Working on Immigration in Nebraska

Nebraska Appleseed Mexican American Commission Lincoln Action Program The Catholic Church

Other Initiatives The Rural Initiative Dialogue Across Nebraska Community Builders START Friendship Force New American Task Force Justice for Our Neighbors Written by Jim Fras and Guy Miller

Beautiful Nebraska, peaceful prairieland, Laced with many rivers, and the hills of sand; Dark green valleys cradled in the earth, Rain and sunshine bring abundant birth.

Beautiful Nebraska, as you look around, You will find a rainbow reaching to the ground; All these wonders by the Master’s hand; Beautiful Nebraska land.

We are so proud of this state where we live, There is no place that has so much to give.

Beautiful Nebraska, as you look around, You will find a rainbow reaching to the ground; All these wonders by the Master’s hand, Beautiful Nebraska land.

Jim Fras was a refugee from Russia who moved to Lincoln in 1952. In 1960, Fras and Guy Miller wrote the words to Beautiful Nebraska. Fras set the words to music. On June 21, 1967, the Nebraska Legislature approved legislation adopting Beautiful Nebraska as the official state song. STRATEGIC DISCUSSIONS FOR nebraska www.unl.edu/sdn



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