Integration in a Small New England Town: A Case Study of Refugees in Towns, Augusta, Maine, USA

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Author(s)
Ackerman, A., El-Hendi, H. & Mumtaz, H.
Publication language
English
Pages
17pp
Date published
01 Jun 2018
Type
Research, reports and studies
Keywords
Forced displacement and migration, Host Communities, Urban
Countries
United States of America
Organisations
Tufts University

The Augusta report explores primarily Middle Eastern refugees who arrived as "secondary" migrants to a small town in Maine. They have experienced a range of challenges and successes integrating with "Old Mainer" society, facing a pervasive attitude of scarcity among residents whose ancestors arrived as French Canadian economic migrants generations ago. After describing the integration challenges with Augusta's public services, housing market, and cultural barriers, the report offers a glimmer of hope with "World to Table," a "culinary diplomacy" venue started by the authors.