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RESIDENTIAL CONCENTRATION OF REFUGEES IN CALIFORNIA AND THE UNITED STATES
Abstract
Residential concentration of refugees (Southeast Asian, Cuban, and Soviet) was investigated using data from the Immigration and Naturalization Service Alien Address File. Patterns of concentration were investigated on a cross-state basis for 1970-1980, and on a cross California 3-digit zip code basis for 1978-1980. Refugee groups were compared to nonrefugee alien groups of similar origin (Japanese, Filipino, Mexican, Dominican, Italian, Polish, and Hungarian). Data sources were the INS Public Use samples for 1979 and 1980, and the total California alien populations for 1978-1980. Consistent cross-ethnic concentration differentials were found, although refugee populations were only slightly (but consistently) more segregated than were the total alien populations: Hispanic groups were most segregated, Europeans and Asians less so, and the Southeast Asians least segregated. Concentration patterns were different across the several geographic areas analyzed: Mexicans, for example were among the most highly segregated at the cross-state level, but were the least segregated at the zip code level within California. Clear preferences for different areas were seen among different ethnic groups: the multiplicity of colonies seen in earlier studies was found in this data also. Consistent linear increases in the concentration of both Vietnamese and Kampucheans were seen however, the latter being particularly striking in its magnitude. Slow increases in Soviet and Cuban concentration were also seen. Several factors argued for permanence of the ethnic concentrations now in existance. Only for Vietnamese was there a consistent pattern of decreased concentration with longer duration of residence; for other groups the ethnic concentrations were made of aliens with a cross-section of longevity. Resettlement of new refugee arrivals also exacerbated concentration, since the only few exceptions the patterns of refugee initial resettlement showed more concentration than among the already-settled populations. The ethnic concentration was potentially facilitative of adjustment, since much of the concentration appears to be forming from secondary migration: some negative effects of the ethnic concentration are suggested in slightly lower employment occurring in the ethnically concentrated areas.
Subject Area
Demographics
Recommended Citation
DOWNING, DOUGLAS CHARLES, "RESIDENTIAL CONCENTRATION OF REFUGEES IN CALIFORNIA AND THE UNITED STATES" (1984). Doctoral Dissertations Available from Proquest. AAI8500072.
https://scholarworks.umass.edu/dissertations/AAI8500072