Immigrants in Iowa (Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo: lease, work, university)

[Stevie]

I once read on a website that after the major loss of population during the 1980s most of Iowa's growth since that time has been of Hispanic immigrants. It also said that by the year 2030 half of Iowa's population is expected to belong to minority groups, mostly Hispanic. I was wondering if this was true or not. I know here in Iowa we get a lot of immigrants (especially in Marshalltown, Storm Lake and Perry) due to the meatpacking industry but we're not exactly California or Texas and we're quite a ways from Mexico so I found this information to be a little far fetched. But it was written by someone who teaches at the University of Iowa so he/she's probably more of an expert than I am. However, I'm just curious if it's really true or not and if anyone has more info on this topic I'd sure appreciate it.

[RonnieJonez]

I've read extensively about this topic. Cities along I-35 tend to have higher numbers of illegal hispanics than others. Kansas City has more than St. Louis for instance, and St. Louis is a larger metro. I-35 starts at the Mexico-Texas border and goes up to Canada. Also, like you said, there is a lot of agricultural/meatpacking work in Iowa, which attracts them. It is the number one state for hogs, corn, and soybeans.

In all honesty...most people in Iowa in not happy with the situation, nor will they ever be. Even the "legal Bosnian refugees" say they weren't taken in well. People make jokes about minority groups all the time. Yes, this happens elsewhere, but if you go somewhere with actual culture people have seen minorities that break the stereotype. In Iowa, many people have not...At least the state is becoming somewhat diverse, they need to look at it from that angle more.

[AustinTraveler]

Please keep topics here related to Iowa. If you want to discuss Immigration on a national level, please feel free to visit that forum.

[summer grace]

There certainly seems to be lots of Hispanics in Iowa, in my opinion. That is just my observation, living here.

[metro223]

Waterloo has thousands of hispanic and bosnian immmigrants.

[lvdad3]

my wife and i moved from las vegas to cedar rapids,almost 2 years ago. we have found no problems with hispanic people here,compared to las vegas,having illegals from all over!! so no. i do not find it to be true.however what we have found out about this little town,is it is very hard to make friends. i am new to this site, and will post things about us later. thank you

[bch7]

Just saw a story on the news last night about the Mayor of Marion or was it Hiawatha? Anyway, just north of Cedar Rapids will begin cracking down on immigrants but I expect the numbers of illegals to grow exponentialy. Farming is commercially managed by "investors" rather than families which leaves no one to operate the farms but those that are willing to sweat for their paycheck. Hate to see it come to that but I need to eat as well!

[Chicago60614]

The state is gaining a ton of minorities, but the state will be nowhere NEAR 50% minority by 2030. There are maybe 6-7 states that can say that.

[fezzador]

I'd say 20% by 2030 if Iowa's lucky. It's still nearly 95% non-Hispanic white as it is right now.

[El Rhino]

[quote=RonnieJonez;444041]Yes, this happens elsewhere, but if you go somewhere with actual culture quote]



Right, dude. People on the coasts are way more sophisticated than us bumpkins in ol' Ioway. Makes sense.

Iowa is about 95% white. Des Moines is about 80% white. Hell, we're whiter than most of Western Europe is these days. I think it will be a very long time before Hispanics are 50% of the population. You never know though, our birthrates are low and theirs are generally high.