Heterolocalism, Networks of Ethnicity, and Refugee Communities in the Pacific Northwest: The Portland Story*

Abstract

Geographic studies of refugee issues have emerged as salient topics of inquiry in the past decade. This spatial analysis of the migration experiences and heterolocal settlement patterns of refugees in an increasingly diverse part of the Pacific Northwest focuses on a place that the Atlantic Monthly recently called the last Caucasian bastion in the United States. Perceived as a region better known for its dense forests, progressive environmental policies, and rural ambience, the Portland metropolitan area and its hinterland in the Willamette Valley now resonate with ethnic and racial diversity. This article analyzes the spatial patterns and related networks of the three largest refugee groups in the region. Findings indicate that an overlapping and interrelated set of political, social, cultural, and economic networks are the most important factors in determining refugee residential patterns.

Immigration and Civic Participation in a Multiracial and Multiethnic Context

“…Perhaps they feel isolated from co‐ethnic organizations, or perhaps individuals who choose to live in White neighborhoods are those who prefer not to participate in ethnic community organizations and, at the same time, are not comfortable participating in local White‐dominated organizations. Our research supports the notion that contemporary immigrants’ integration into American society cannot be described adequately using either a strict “assimilation” or “pluralism” framework (Zelinski and Lee, 1998; Newbold and Spindler, 2001; Hardwick and Meacham, 2005).…”

Settlement Patterns of African Refugee Communities in Southeast Queensland

“…Much of the literature on refugee secondary migration highlights the need and desire that refugees have to rebuild their social and ethnic networks in resettlement (Burnley 1989;Dalglish 1989;Dunn 1993;During 2006;Glavac & Childs 1993;Hardwick 2003;Hardwick & Meacham 2005;Hume & Hardwick 2005;Simich 2003;Simich et al 2002;Waxman 1999). In the context of refugee studies, social networks usually consist of kinship systems (e.g.…”

“…The proximity of the accommodation to affordable public transport options and local service providers (e.g. schools and public hospitals) and to people of the same ethnic group is also critical (Hardwick & Meacham 2005;NsubugaKyobe 2004;Taylor & Stanovic 2005). In reality, for African refugees accommodation is often expensive relative to the household's income, and too small and poorly Access to appropriate and affordable housing was a very important issue for most focus group participants, supporting the findings of Beer and Foley (2005), Beer and Morphett (2002), Murdie (2005) and Waxman (1999).…”

African refugee resettlement in the US: the role and significance of voluntary agencies

“…Salient examples include the Hmong (Miyares 1998), Vietnamese (Airriess and Clawson 2000;Hardwick and Meacham 2005;Wood 1997), Somalis (Nadeau 2003) and Cubans (Boswell 1985;Thomas 1967). In this instance, well-studied mechanisms come into play such as wage/job opportunity differentials (Stark and Bloom 1985;Todaro 1969;Todaro and Maruszko 1987), culture, community, family, and migration chains (Massey and Espana 1987;Massey et al, 1993;Massey 1999).…”

“…Refugees' integration is influenced initially by the network of support provided by sponsors and VOLAGs (Hardwick and Meacham 2005;Miyares 1998). Further, a purposeful goal of these agencies has been to disperse refugee populations so as to speed adaptation to American society (Newbold 2002, Shandy 2007.…”