Migratory Patterns in Maine

are seeking political reform and change in both countries. For many, it is their love of their family and shared culture that helps them stay connected and thrive in cities like Miami. In an op-ed for The Miami New Times, Cuban professor of sociology, Guillermo Grenier observed, “Over 70 percent of Cuban Americans in South Florida have family on the island. Fifty percent still send money to family and friends there. These are powerful sentiments in the community that need to be recognized and nurtured… The family is the bridge between Cuba and the diaspora [in Miami], between the Cuba of today and the Cuba of tomorrow.”

by Moira O'Sullivan In Sweet Goats & Blueberry Señoritas, Bea’s family’s immigration from Cuba to the United States is part of a long tradition of people bringing their cultures and traditions to this country. While Maine is still statistically the oldest and whitest state according to the 2014 US Census, which reported a 95% Caucasian population, Maine’s immigrant population has been steadily increasing. The foreign-born population grew by 19.6% between 2000 and 2011, and by 2013, immigrants comprised 3.4% of the state’s 1.3 million residents. As of 2018, they rose to 4% of the population, with the top countries of origin for new Maine residents being Canada (18% of immigrants), the Philippines (9%), Germany (7%), India (6%), and Korea (5%). That same year, reports show that 24,885 immigrants (52%) were naturalized and that 12,413 immigrants were eligible to become naturalized.

But what do all these statistics really mean? As more and more foreign-born people have become Mainers, the state has seen a rise in racial diversity, going from 95% Caucasian in 2014 to 90% in 2020, with the Portland area (Cumberland County) at 87%. While Maine’s White population is still very high (especially when compared to the national average of 61%), the increasingly more diverse population can be tied to many families like Bea’s in Sweet Goats, who have found new homes and communities in New England.

While immigration continues to be a hotbutton issue in the United States, the numbers don’t lie: immigration is a good thing. Not only is it how most of the population ended up in this country in the first place (if you’re not of Native American heritage, you too come from a line of immigrants), but it’s what keeps our society moving forward. Immigrant communities are more beneficial than many realize. In Maine, they have contributed hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes; as consumers, they add over a billion dollars to Maine’s economy; and as entrepreneurs (like small-business owners Bea and Tío Eme), they generate millions in business revenue. In 2014, immigrant-owned businesses generated $60.8 million in business income and employed 14,659 people in the state.

There are, of course, countless things that immigrants bring to our community that cannot be measured in statistics. Portland’s exceptional restaurant and dining options, our vibrant arts scene, and our thriving city life are all due in part to the various cultures and traditions that have been brought here by others. It would be a mistake to discount their contributions, but how do we support our new neighbors going forward? A few places to start: seek out immigrant-owned businesses or donate to nonprofits helping to accommodate new arrivals. Portland is one of the fastestgrowing locations for asylum seekers, most recently many from African countries. Volunteering for and donating to the city’s initiatives to help the inpouring of refugees is a great way to get involved. Check out the City of Portland’s website (portlandmaine.gov) or contact the city manager’s office for how you can make a donation toward providing housing assistance and basic human necessities to asylum seekers in the area.