The Indochinese in America: Progress Towards Self Sufficiency.
Author(s):
Finck, John; United States Committee For Refugees, Inc., New York, Ny.
Format:
Report
Publisher:
1983.
Language:
English
Abstract:
Despite suspicion in some quarters that refugee resettlement has been unduly expensive, evidence indicates that the Indochinese have made steady progress toward self-sufficiency. The majority of Hmong refugees in Providence, Rhode Island, for example, which has been "heavily impacted" by the large number of Indochinese who have become its newest residents, are self-supporting despite a high local unemployment rate. In Rhode Island as a whole, the unemployment rate of Indochinese is only 6.6 percent higher than that of other residents; several other States with high concentrations of refugees report similarly low dependency rates. Employers value the Indochinese' ability to meet production quotas and their disinterest in unions. Many refugees have started their own businesses and self-help groups. Crime continues to plague refugees no matter where they live, but efforts have been made in Portland, Oregon, and elsewhere to reduce language and other barriers between the Indochinese and vital emergency services. However, the Indochinese tend to remain isolated from the surrounding community whether it be a large or small one. (CJM)