A Brief Immigration History of the Western Region of New York State

The Past

German Arrival: Push Factors: Life in WNY: By 1840s, 30,000 Germans made up ⅓ of Buffalo’s population Push Factors: Before German unification, war had plagued central Europe Life in WNY: Religious faiths, including Catholics, Jewish, and Protestant, left Germany for WNY Skilled laborers such as boilermakers, upholsterers, and clock makers moved to Buffalo German

Polish Arrival: Push Factors: Settled Life in WNY: Jewish Poles arrive before 1860 In the 1880s, Catholic Poles arrive Push Factors: Partition of Poland by Russia, Austria, and Germany Settled Broadway & Fillmore Avenues Life in WNY: Textiles, grain industry As many as 100,000 Polish-Americans lived in Buffalo by the 20th century Polish

Irish Arrival: Push Factors: Life in WNY: Before the Famine: 400 (est.) Irish live in Buffalo around 1830 Approx. 18,000 by 1855 Push Factors: One million people emigrate from Ireland as a result of the potato famine Life in WNY: Many worked in WNY grain mills and textile factories Majority flock to “Uniontown”, “Rogues’ Hollow”, and “Hakertown” in Buffalo’s “Old First Ward”

The Present

Burmese Arrival: Life in WNY: Over 12,000 Burmese have moved to New York State Refugees from Burma include the Karen, Chin, Karenni, Mon, and Pakhine peoples Life in WNY: Many Buddhist & Muslim Burmese have settled in Buffalo’s West & East sides Karen-Burmese residents have made Karen the 2nd most spoken foreign language in Buffalo City School (right behind Spanish) Burmese Photo Credit: Buffalo Rising

Burmese, continued Push Factors: Government: A harsh military junta has a record of violent oppression Hundreds of thousands of Burmese have been forced to flee

Bhutan-Nepali Push Factors: The Llotshampa people had lived in Bhutan since migrating from Nepal in the 18th century Bhutan’s 1988 “One Nation One People” policy stripped the Llotshampa of their citizenship The Llotshampa language was outlawed Many Llotshampas were fired from their jobs and Village elders were beaten Bhutan-Nepali https://www.buffalorising.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Nepal-Buffalo-NY.jpg

Bhutan-Nepali, continued Arrival 2008: First wave of refugees arrive to New York More than 7,000 reside in WNY Life in WNY Many are knowledgeable about farming and agriculture, but have not been able to use their skills in Buffalo and WNY. Communication barriers have prevented many from furthering economic prosperity Bhutan-Nepali, continued https://www.buffalorising.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Nepal-Buffalo-NY.jpg

Somalia Arrival: Push Factors: Life in WNY: First wave arrived in 80s & 90s Somali-Bantus arrive from Kenyan refugee camps in 2003 Push Factors: Somalia has been plagued by war since the 1980s Life in WNY: About 5,000 Somalis have made WNY their home, with most living in Buffalo’s “West Side” Main languages spoken: Somali, Arabic Quran, Swahili Somalia

Iraqi Arrival: Push Factors: Life in WNY: More than 3,500 have made WNY their home UN and US settled several thousand refugees in 2007 Push Factors: Saddam Hussein’s harsh regime in Iraq caused many to leave their homes. War in Iraq forced many to flee Life in WNY: Misunderstandings of Iraqi and Muslim way of life have hindered many Iraqis living in WNY Iraqi

Resettlement Agencies

Resources Jericho Road Ministries The Refugee Drop-In Center provides services to refugees who have lived in Buffalo at least 6 months and who are no longer receiving services from a resettlement agency Jewish Family Service of Buffalo & Erie County Facilitating refugee enterey, public school enrollment and behavioral health services Journey’s End Refugee Services Housing, community orientation, managed referrals for medical, employment, and education services are offered Catholic Charities of Buffalo Assist with pre- and post-arrival process, application and legal proceedings, and language skills University Heights Tool Library A community-based tool lending library International Institute of Buffalo Services for those affected by domestic violence and human trafficking are only the beginning of services offered by the International Institute https://www.buffalorising.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Nepal-Buffalo-NY.jpg