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

2. The
Past

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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”

6. The
Present

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. Resettlement Agencies

14. 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