2. Immigration to Minnesota The Advocates for Human Rights is pleased to involve your class or community group in a day to learn about immigration to Minnesota. © The Advocates for Human Rights 2008

3. Why Is It Important to Stay Informed About Immigration? To approach a front-page issue sensitively and with accuracy To create a more inclusive classroom To establish dialogue and connections between diverse groups To effectively advocate for immigrants and refugees in the community To encourage positive understanding about immigrants clipartreview.com

4. Immigration to Minnesota before 1910 The Ojibway and Dakota tribes were living in Minnesota when the first traders arrived. By 1850, many immigrants from Norway, Sweden, Ireland and Germany were drawn to Minnesota by inexpensive farmland and growing industry. By 1896, election instructions were issued in languages: English, German, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, French, Czech, Italian and Polish.

5. U.S. Census Statistics (2006)4 How Minnesota Currently Ranks with Other States in the Total Number of Immigrants #1: California #2: New York #3: New Jersey #25: Minnesota Total foreign-born in MN as of 2006: 339,236 (6.6% of MN’s population)

6. U.S. Census Statistics (2000)5 Can You Identify the Top 10 Countries of Birth for Immigrants in MN? (Hint: The First Initials are: M, L, V, C, K, I, S, C, T, G) 1. Mexico: 41,590 2. Laos: 25,970 3. Vietnam: 15,725 4. Canada: 13,185 5. Korea: 11,855 6. India: 10,510 7. Somalia: 10,475 8. China: 8,570 9. Thailand: 8,740 10. Germany: 7,715

7. 6 Refugees in Minnesota Minnesota only takes refugees who already have an anchor relative in the state. Minnesota has 7 Voluntary Resettlement Agencies, or VOLAGS, including the International Institute, Lutheran Social Service, Catholic Charities, Minnesota Council of Churches, and World Relief, among others.

8. MN Department of Health (2005)7 Somalia:5289 Hmong:4972 Ethiopia:1753 Liberia:1237 Belarus: 568 Burma: 331 Sudan: 232 Moldova: 221 Ukraine: 152 Russia: 141 Sierra Leone: 132 Togo: 66 Top 12 Sending Countries of Refugees in Minnesota

9. MN State Demographic Ctr. (2004)8 Latino: 38,643 Hmong: 21,613 Somali: 5,734 Vietnamese: 2,910 Russian: 2,346 Laotian: 2,258 Cambodian: 1,718 Ethiopian: 1,329 School Enrollment of Immigrant Students in Minnesota (including refugees)

10. MN Dept. of Education (2006-7)9 Besides English, Primary Language Spoken at Home for Public School Students in Minnesota (including refugees) Spanish: 32,239 Hmong: 22,665 Somali: 9,583 Vietnamese: 3,215 Laotian: 2,023 Cambodian: 1,620 Arabic: 1,220 Oromo: 787 Serbo-Croatian: 640

11. Immigration Challenges in Minnesota Increasing services in schools and adult education centers Assisting newcomers in integrating and finding employment Combating discrimination Including new customs and religious traditions in the broader Minnesota culture

12. Contributions of Immigrants in Minnesota Fill a labor need Pay taxes Add diversity Share new ideas Enrich the culture Offset an aging population Strengthen our global connections

13. Write articles for your school or community newspaper about the immigration issue. Advocate by sending letters to legislators about current immigration issues. Reach out to refugees and immigrants in your local area. Befriend a newcomer at your school. Increase awareness of refugee and immigrant issues. Form a club in your school with others interested in these issues. Raise money, or do a food/clothing drive for a local or national organization that serves immigrants and refugees. Ways to Create a Welcoming Environment for Immigrants

14. QUIZ TIME!

15. True or False 1. The first immigrants in Minnesota were from Africa. 2. People from Somalia make up one of the largest groups of refugees in Minnesota. 3. Besides English, the most frequently spoken language in Minnesota’s public schools is Spanish. 4. Unfortunately, there is not much that you can do to create a more welcoming environment for immigrants in your school or community. False! True! False!

16. For More Information, Visit Energy of a Nation on the Web! Obtain accurate and up-to- date information. Learn about current legislation. Take action by contacting leaders and lawmakers. Participate in community events. Learn about the issues. Access reports and resources on state and national immigration. All Free and Downloadable at: www.energyofanation.org!

17. © The Advocates for Human Rights 2008