Building Community, Embracing Difference: Immigrants, Refugees, and Local Government Outreach in Rural Minnesota

Abstract

Immigrant and refugee populations in Greater Minnesota face distinct challenges and have distinct needs. Government responsibility for the wellbeing of immigrant and refugee populations in rural Minnesota is shared across state, county, and city levels. Government actions can be augmented by community groups and local employers, but all groups have the potential to play an improved role ensuring those who have settled in rural Minnesota continue to feel welcome, respected, and represented in their community. A growing body of literature on rural America’s relationship with international migration highlights the influence of effective government communication and representation on successful integration, access to services, and social cohesion. This report draws upon the established body of research and interviews with twenty government staffers, elected representatives, and community members from four sample cities in rural Minnesota. These interviews assessed government perceptions of issues facing local immigrant and refugee communities and, in turn, how well connected these local governments are to those populations. From this data we have determined that, while immigrants and refugees are now recognized as integral to the prosperity future of rural Minnesota by government officials, there remain barriers in access, communication, and representation that is often blamed on language differences and self-segregation. While it seems as though most local government officials have good intentions, they struggle to understand the systemic barriers, difference in cultures, and community-wide prejudices that lead to community distrust and disharmony. These findings have implications for county and city policies and funding, hiring and representation considerations, and the retention of immigrant and refugee populations in rural communities across the State of Minnesota and beyond.