Posted on 11/23/2009 2:16:36 PM PST by La Enchiladita
Detroit – Tens of thousands have fled Michigan’s troubled economy, yet Iraqi refugees continue to move here.
It is the cultural support from Michigan’s large Middle Eastern community that continues to attract the refugees despite a U.S. effort to place them in cities where they stand a better chance of financial success.
A U.S. government policy is trying to limit refugee resettlements in the Detroit area. However the Detroit area saw a big jump in Iraqi refugees from other U.S. cities, according to a Michigan-based refugee resettlement agency.
For Rawaa Bahoo and Sinan Shamsulddin. both Iraqi refugees never intended to stay where the U.S. government relocated them in July 2008.
Bahoo, 29, said she stayed just a few days in Atlanta before heading to Michigan, where relatives could help her overcome her language barrier.
Kabobs are easier to come by than Big Macs in some areas of the Detroit suburb of Dearborn that more closely resemble a Middle Eastern city than a Midwestern one. Arabic signs are common on storefronts, headscarves are worn by many women and at some fast food joints in the city, the meat is halal which means it is prepared according to Islamic law.
Southeastern Michigan has one of the country's largest Middle Eastern populations at about 300,000. Iraqi's can trace their roots back to the region and Detroit has long been a top destination for Arab immigrants to the U.S.
As long as they don’t contract ‘Sudden Jihad Syndrome.’
And I suppose Uncle Sam's teat has nothing to do with it.
San Diego has the second largest Iraqi population.
over 35,000 mostly Chaldeans (Christians) and 400 a
month coming to San Diego.
Employment numbers?
Is moving from Iraq to Detroit an improvement?
It is, a real step up too.
Unfortunately most are probably former members of Hussein's Praetorian Guard. LOL
Iraq is statitically safer, but the violence in Detroit isn’t as random; so Detroit probably is safer. House prices are probably lower in Detroit.
“San Diego has the second largest Iraqi population.
over 35,000 mostly Chaldeans (Christians) and 400 a
month coming to San Diego.”
Catholics
Hmm, must be some kind of longing to live in a war torn hell hole.
"What the government gives you as a support is not a great deal. ... If you'd like to live decently, you should have a live connection -- that's your family here in Michigan," said Alsaqa, 34, who lives in Birmingham with family.
Hmmm, I wonder just how much OUR government is giving them? And yet, they sneer at it.
My first thought also.
Well considering they came from a war zone, they should feel right at home in Detroit.
>>Catholics<<
I’m sorry, are you saying that this is a problem or that Catholics aren’t Christians?
I live with the Chaldean’s up here North of Detroit.
You want them here. They watch Dearborn and know what to look out for.
this is a good, safe, beautiful country.....
I hope these immigrants respect what they have here....and hopefully, they will have 2nd and 3rd generations that assimilate....
“I’m sorry, are you saying that this is a problem or that Catholics aren’t Christians?”
I’m saying there’s a lack of accuracy in reporting.
>>I’m saying there’s a lack of accuracy in reporting.<<
By who?
“By who?”
Good question. Either whoever originally wrote this report or by the Examiner itself.
Well, the situation in question is a little different. This article and others on the topic state the federal government has been trying to disperse Arab immigrants and specifically keep them from concentrating in the Dearborn area. Assimilation is not a high priority for muslims.
However, RoadTest, you were commenting on another FReeper's post, not about the Examiner article. SoCalPol was reminding us that Iraqi Christians live in the San Diego area.
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