Minnesota has one of the smallest migrant population nationally(the national average is about a 14% of our current population being foreign born)  and its fifth district has about 7.04% migrants during the time of our 111th congress and currently during the 115th congress about 6.93% migrants. Since the 1970’s Minnesota has perhaps had one of the most diverse migrant population particularly one of the most diverse Asian Population. Minnesota as a state has seen as much as a 74% (according to some estimates)  increase in Hispanic and Latino population(which still tallies to about a 4.3%) but the immigrant population averages stays to about the same. However, Minnesota as a state experiences the highest migrant population from Asian countries at number one and African refugees at number 2, with Latin American immigrants slowly gaining a rise.Within Minnesota’s 5th district the Trends that are consistent with Minnesota’s national averages. The district itself has a majority white population and minority immigrant population. Something to note about the Data presented in my graphs is that the Hispanic population is not completely reflective since it is conflated with many other races.

Immigration research suggest that migrants tend to be more integrated depending on the resources available, their utilization of these resources and their shaping of these resources(ie.having the political power to do so), and also based on factors like their race, economic status(or at least those associated), and their statuses. Minnesota’s 5th district has a predominant Asian and Somali ( Minnesota actually has the 2nd highest Somalian refugee population in the United States) immigrant population. According to Bloemraad refugee immigrants tend to have a greater odds for integration than other immigrants because of the narrative associated with their status(as deserving because suffering) and because of the resources also provided to them. As suggested by  Sofya Aptekar in the Edison study it seems as though Asian Americans are more likely to be accepted within societies and integrated as long as they do not participate within the politics of that white community and potentially contribute to the “threat narrative”. Public Opinion according to previous research tend to be fueled by narratives both perpetuated in the media and specifically the “threat narrative” correlated and emphasized with different groups(White backlash).

This research is relevant to my district because the immigrants within my district were mostly refugee immigrants and Asian immigrants( those of higher class) who were in part seen as more acceptable(Cynthia Boyd). However, despite the perpetuation of these trends which seem to indicate why immigrants in Minnesota’s 5th district have on average been better integrated into general mainstream society because as mentioned by White Backlash and Bloemraad they pose less of a “threat” because the association to these groups tend to be positive. However, Minnesota’s 5th unlike Edison seems to support immigrant  integration despite their run for political power because of the success of leaders like Omar. However, with the diversifying of immigrants within the state as a whole the narrative might start to differ. Especially with an increase in the hispanic population and the economic diversity of Asian immigrants certainly seems to be already changing the local narrative with people like Boyd pointing out the decrease in economic integration of Asian immigrants because of the different opportunities available.

My potential research plans would be to definitely compare to compare the treatment of older immigrants and contrast it with the treatment of newer immigrants. I want to compare the resources provided from the point of view of organizers for different ethnic groups and seeing whether or not and if so how the challenges for different ethnic, economic groups differ base on their affiliations. I would want to ask different community leaders about the challenges that their constituents see as hindering their integration into dominant society. I would also be interested in seeing whether or not public opinion has affected policies post shut down especially since between 12-25% of Minnesotans  are government employees? For my research I would also like to explore political activist websites and blog forums but my main question would be whether or not this would more along the lines of news and media research project?