The Globalist : The Growing “Global Interior” of the United States by Anne Farris

The Globalist

The Growing “Global Interior” of the United States by Anne Farris

Rather surprisingly, Nashville, Tennessee has become a major destination for immigrants arriving to the United States. In this Globalist Perspective, Anne Farris dispels the myth that immigrants only flock to metropolises like New York City — and argues that Nashville exemplifies how smaller communities are dealing with immigration.he United States is experiencing the largest immigrant and refugee resettlement since the Industrial Revolution. And cities like Nashville — rather than the gateway cities of the past such as New York and Los Angeles — are the new, non-traditional settling grounds. There, foreign-born newcomers find an abundance of jobs, housing, lower prices and, sometimes, friendlier receptions.The growth has enriched the local culture and economy, but it has also challenged the area's policymakers, businessmen and social service providers to successfully integrate the newcomers into a mutually beneficial community. As a result, Nashville — which has not grappled with this much racial and cultural integration since the civil rights movement 50 years ago — is exhibiting the same growing pains as an angst-ridden, awkward and troubled teenager entering adulthood. Tennessee's foreign-born population grew by 169% between 1990 and 2000, and the state ranks sixth in the nation in the rate of its foreign-born population's growth. It is also the nation's fourth-fastest growing state in Hispanic population.But this rapid transition has not been an easy one for native Tennesseans. A number of groups have formed and are voicing opposition to ongoing immigration issues. The refugee and immigration debate in Nashville is loud and, at times, vicious. Currently, 18% of the foreign-born population in Nashville lives below the federal poverty level — $17,050 for a family of four in 2000 — almost double the rate for the total city population. Almost half of the foreign-born population speaks limited English. Three-fourths are not citizens and, therefore, are civically isolated and politically disenfranchised.