UO Immigration Report Reveals Oregon's Challenges

Because of Oregon's long history of anti-migrant views and its population of largely European descent, immigrants here find it harder to assimilate than in other states. For example, data show that immigrants are less likely to be employed in better-than-minimum-wage jobs or have success in shedding such labels as "undocumented," "refugee" and "second-language learner."

A team of 11 College of Arts & Sciences researchers and professors has found that the lack of an active public policy approach has meant that Oregon has been slow to respond to the increased presence of immigrants in communities, workplaces and schools.

Despite these difficulties for the foreign born, the state now has one of the most rapidly growing immigrant populations in the United States and is a leading destination for refugees. In particular, more Russians and Ukrainians have come to the Northwest than any other region in the country. And from 1990 to 2005, Oregon's Latino population -- now 10 percent of the state's total -- doubled in 21 counties, according to the report, which was unveiled in May.
   
Scholars from the departments of anthropology, geography, history, sociology and psychology collaborated to produce the report, which was edited by history professor Robert Bussel, the director of the UO's Labor Education and Research Center -- the entity that coordinated the study.

    The six-chapter report provides recommendations for communities and policymakers on how to help immigrants integrate socially and economically, including:

• extending successful community-based programs statewide,
• expanding multilingual services to rural communities,
• strengthening protections for immigrant workers (who make up 11 percent of Oregon's labor force),
• enhancing intervention efforts with Latino youth (who now make up 17 percent of Oregon students).

For the complete pdf report, click here.