IMMIGRATION AND RURAL AMERICA

Abstract

Immigration is changing the face of rural America. Stable, year-round employment in the food-processing industry is the most significant factor attracting immigrants into the rural Midwest. Much has been published documenting social and economic changes in rural communities following surges in immigration in rural meat-processing communities. The purpose of the present investigation was to examine immigrants’ perceptions of work and residence in rural America. To this end, personal interviews were conducted with 43 immigrants residing in three Nebraska meatpacking communities. Participants described routes of immigration and motivations for international movement, work in the packing plants, and rural residence. Work for future investigators and the role of policy and social service professionals are presented.

La inmigración está cambiando el rostro rural de los Estados Unidos. El empleo contínuo y estable en la industria de procesamiento de comestibles es el factor más significante que atrae a los inmigrantes al oeste central rural. Muchas publicaciones han documentado los cambios sociales y económicos en las comunidades rurales a raiz de las olas de inmigración en las comunidades rurales de elaboración de carne. El propósito de la presente investigación fue de examinar las percepciones de los inmigrantes respecto al trabajo y a la residencia en zonas rurales en los Estados Unidos. A este fin, se condujeron entrevistas personales con cuarenta y tres inmigrantes radicados en tres comunidades de empacaderos de carne en Nebraska. Los participantes describieron rutas de inmigración y motivaciones por movimiento internacional, trabajo en los empacaderos y residencia rural. Se presentan tareas para futuros investigadores y el papel de póliza y de profesionales de servicio social.

Keywords:

• immigration
• rural midwest
• meat-processing work
• residence
• la immigración
• rural de los estados unidos
• elaboración de carne
• residencia

Notes

Dr Rochelle L. Dalla is an Associate Professor in the Department of Family & Consumer Sciences at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. She teaches family-related courses including: Family Science, Adolescence and the Family, and Gender and the Family and is the Practicum Coordinator. Her research interests include Latino immigration in rural communities and street-level prostitution. Address: ASH 105B, University of Nebraska–Lincoln (Omaha Campus), NE 68182-0214, USA. [email: [email protected]]

Amy Ellis, MS graduated from the Marriage and Family Therapy Program at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 2001. She was the recipient of the 2001–2002 Folsom Distinguished Masters Thesis Award by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. She is currently a child and family therapist and resides in California.

Dr Sheran C. Cramer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Family & Consumer Sciences at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. She specializes in family financial management and is the inter-institutional coordinator for the Distance Education Masters Degree Program in Family Financial Planning.

All names have been changed.

Participants were not asked whether they were legal or illegal immigrants. When discussion of legal status arose, participants were first to introduce it.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Rochelle L. Dalla

Dr Rochelle L. Dalla is an Associate Professor in the Department of Family & Consumer Sciences at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. She teaches family-related courses including: Family Science, Adolescence and the Family, and Gender and the Family and is the Practicum Coordinator. Her research interests include Latino immigration in rural communities and street-level prostitution. Address: ASH 105B, University of Nebraska–Lincoln (Omaha Campus), NE 68182-0214, USA. [email: [email protected]] Amy Ellis, MS graduated from the Marriage and Family Therapy Program at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 2001. She was the recipient of the 2001–2002 Folsom Distinguished Masters Thesis Award by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. She is currently a child and family therapist and resides in California. Dr Sheran C. Cramer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Family & Consumer Sciences at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. She specializes in family financial management and is the inter-institutional coordinator for the Distance Education Masters Degree Program in Family Financial Planning.