What is Ohio doing to attract immigration? (Columbus, Cleveland: 2015, how much)

[jbcmh81]

Originally Posted by bjimmy24

These cities were picked by the federal gov to be the destination and it just builds on that. People in Somalia were not over there longing to move to Columbus OH or Portland ME.

Even if that were true for refugee groups, almost all the nations listed in the top 20 for Columbus do not have typical refugee status, so the vast majority of those people are not refugees. They're choosing Columbus, not being forced to by the federal government. Being granted refugee status is also exceedingly difficult. Almost all refugee applications are rejected, even from Somalia. Furthermore, there is a misconception that refugees are all forced to go to specific cities, but that's not true. Even they typically get a choice in the matter, especially if they have existing connections somewhere. The goal is always to have refugees go somewhere they have the greatest chance to be successful at rebuilding their lives. The only time refugees are normally placed somewhere is if they have no existing connections in the US and otherwise have no desired city in mind.

[Lisana10]

It’s the desire for homeownership driving migrants to the Midwest and South since houses are too expensive in traditional immigrant hubs like NY & California for even a single, upper middle class American let alone low wage immigrants with families.

[dustin183]

Originally Posted by bjimmy24

So you're saying people from Somalia are just dying to come to the coldest cities in America instead of ones more reminiscent of their native lands, just as immigrants have done for generations? Really? That's your premise. Wow. Makes tons, tons, tons of sense. You're right.

I think weather is very low on the priority list for them. They are trying to escape famine and warlords. They don't mind having to put on a coat and gloves in the winter. Many of them move to colder areas like Sweden or Canada, so Ohio is probably not looked at too negatively re weather.

[bjimmy24]

Originally Posted by dustin183

I think weather is very low on the priority list for them. They are trying to escape famine and warlords. They don't mind having to put on a coat and gloves in the winter. Many of them move to colder areas like Sweden or Canada, so Ohio is probably not looked at too negatively re weather.

they are coming through federal programs which are choosing where to put them. Not one Somali had ever heard of Columbus Ohio before these programs were in place. That's what I'm saying.

[jbcmh81]

Originally Posted by bjimmy24

they are coming through federal programs which are choosing where to put them. Not one Somali had ever heard of Columbus Ohio before these programs were in place. That's what I'm saying.

Again, you're wrong about how refugees end up places. And I'm not sure why you are singularly focused on Somalis to begin with. Refugee-status immigration is a relatively small part of overall immigration. Most Columbus immigrants are NOT refugees. You're trying too hard to argue that all or most of the local immigrant population was forced to move there, and that is ridiculous.

[As Above So Below...]

Originally Posted by mdovell

If you were to tell me that Ohio would have two of the largest cities for growth in immigration in the past ten years I would have said you were nuts.

Yet here it is

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/othe...ubs/ar-AAKp0xD

This is more impressive given the last president. So what's the secret

Well, actually Columbus is really the only one attracting immigrants in any decent number and even then that number isnt that big. Those places all had low immigrant populations to begin with so a small number of immigrants means a higher increase in percentage.

[jbcmh81]

Originally Posted by As Above So Below...

Well, actually Columbus is really the only one attracting immigrants in any decent number and even then that number isnt that big. Those places all had low immigrant populations to begin with so a small number of immigrants means a higher increase in percentage.

Columbus is obviously nowhere near the top in terms of total or % of population for immigrants. I'm not sure anyone is claiming otherwise. It is solidly in the middle of the pack in terms of major cities, though, and improving steadily. If we took a ratio of immigrants to overall population, Columbus would be within a group of cities that includes Minneapolis, Philly, Nashville, Portland, Denver and Washington DC, among others, so it's not a total slouch either. It has roughly 2x the ratio of immigrants to total population as either Cincinnati or Cleveland. Overall, I think people underestimate its immigrant population and influence, if anything.

[As Above So Below...]

Originally Posted by jbcmh81

Columbus is obviously nowhere near the top in terms of total or % of population for immigrants. I'm not sure anyone is claiming otherwise. It is solidly in the middle of the pack in terms of major cities, though, and improving steadily. If we took a ratio of immigrants to overall population, Columbus would be within a group of cities that includes Minneapolis, Philly, Nashville, Portland, Denver and Washington DC, among others, so it's not a total slouch either. It has roughly 2x the ratio of immigrants to total population as either Cincinnati or Cleveland. Overall, I think people underestimate its immigrant population and influence, if anything.

Well, yes and no.

We need to take Washington DC completely out of that grouping. The DC area is 22.1% Foreign Born. The Columbus area is 8.7%. Philadelphia is 10.9%.

Columbus' peers in this area would be Nashville, Minneapolis, Kansas City, Milwaukee, and Raleigh. DC is in a league with places like Houston and Chicago, not Columbus. Philly is just so much larger its hard to compare.

[sheena12]

Originally Posted by Natural510

Given the list of cities in that article, I’d say cheaper COL compared to NY & CA would be a big attraction. Most of Ohio’s cities have gone out of their way to become immigrant-friendly to help replenish native population lost to the Sunbelt. Dayton has attracted a large Turkish population which has fixed up the Old North Dayton neighborhood, and Columbus (along with Minneapolis) has been the top Somali destination for decades, along with those relocating for the university & job opportunities.

As an "immigrant", COL drew us here. Cities with museums like the Cleveland Museum of Art, beautiful scenery, street fairs, outdoor activities, pro-sports, arts, and great food have kept us here. We are members of a COUNTRY CLUB, for God's sake! In NY that requires a $150,000 bond to join. Per year!

Still, If Ohio wants growth, PEOPLE Don't KNOW this! Ohio needs a national campaign to let people know that they are welcome here - and without the culture shock of having to contend with bad pizza and folks who are still fighting the Civil War.

[jimwen]

Both Columbus and Cincinnati are nothing but sprawl anymore. Won't be long before Cincinnati and Dayton are one city.