As a first generation American, my family's immigration story is a very large part of my individual and collective identity. It's also similar, in some ways, to Alex and Ricardo's story, so I was grateful that they shared it with us. I love hearing other people's stories of origin, and how they got where they are today. Though most of my family eventually settled in Northeast Ohio following WWII and the subsequent Soviet/communist era in Eastern Europe, other friends and family members ended up in Canada, Switzerland, Australia, Chicago, New York, and Spain (and probably many others that I'm not even aware of)--so really, not too far off from Alex and Ricardo's recollection of an immigration process that throws people into all corners of the world.
When Alex and Ricardo mentioned that they had friends and relatives who ended up in places other than the United States during the Pinochet era (I believe West Germany was one location discussed), I wanted to know more about where people ended up and why. Along with the U.S., many other countries welcomed Chileans escaping Pinochet rule: Canada, Sweden, Spain, both East and West Germany, Scotland, Argentina, Australia, France, and Venezuela, to name a few.
But let's take the U.S. and Canada, for example. Throughout the 1970s, the U.S. only accepted about 17,600 Chilean immigrants, political refugees, and asylum seekers. For comparison, Canada accepted 7,000 in just two years (1973 and 1974), though this tapered off towards the end of the decade, and by 1980, the Chilean population in Canada was around 11,000. Interestingly, by the 1990s (just about the time Pinochet returned Chile to civilian rule), there were about 100,000 Chileans in the U.S. Most of these Chileans are in Los Angeles, New York, or Miami.
What's even more interesting is that in recent years, Chile has become a destination for immigrants and refugees--at least, more so than in previous years. In 2009, it was estimated that over 2% of the country's population was foreign born--the first time since 1940 (immigration into Chile was, as one might imagine, extremely uncommon during the Pinochet era). It's thought that many Chileans who had escaped in the 70s were now returning, and according to some estimates, nearly 50% did. In addition, the economic growth in Chile (especially compared to other countries in the region) probably attracted immigrants who might have otherwise headed further north.
In 2008, the Bachelet government instituted specific refugee policies. While most refugees and asylum seekers as of late hail from Colombia, Chile has also welcomed small numbers of refugees from Cuba, Haiti, Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, and Rwanda. Currently, however, the largest immigration issue within the country is their lack of law and policies on migration, specifically, as migrants from many South American countries now call Chile home.
On another note, since I've never been to South America at all, and because I like to read up on a place before I travel there, I recently started this book to learn a little more about Chilean history and experiences during and after Pinochet.. If anyone would like to join in and discuss either before or while we are in Chile, that would be fantastic. Or, if you have suggestions about additional books or articles, please let me know!
Sources:
Chilean Immigration
Chile: A Growing Destination Country in Search of a Coherent Approach to Migration
When Alex and Ricardo mentioned that they had friends and relatives who ended up in places other than the United States during the Pinochet era (I believe West Germany was one location discussed), I wanted to know more about where people ended up and why. Along with the U.S., many other countries welcomed Chileans escaping Pinochet rule: Canada, Sweden, Spain, both East and West Germany, Scotland, Argentina, Australia, France, and Venezuela, to name a few.
But let's take the U.S. and Canada, for example. Throughout the 1970s, the U.S. only accepted about 17,600 Chilean immigrants, political refugees, and asylum seekers. For comparison, Canada accepted 7,000 in just two years (1973 and 1974), though this tapered off towards the end of the decade, and by 1980, the Chilean population in Canada was around 11,000. Interestingly, by the 1990s (just about the time Pinochet returned Chile to civilian rule), there were about 100,000 Chileans in the U.S. Most of these Chileans are in Los Angeles, New York, or Miami.
What's even more interesting is that in recent years, Chile has become a destination for immigrants and refugees--at least, more so than in previous years. In 2009, it was estimated that over 2% of the country's population was foreign born--the first time since 1940 (immigration into Chile was, as one might imagine, extremely uncommon during the Pinochet era). It's thought that many Chileans who had escaped in the 70s were now returning, and according to some estimates, nearly 50% did. In addition, the economic growth in Chile (especially compared to other countries in the region) probably attracted immigrants who might have otherwise headed further north.
In 2008, the Bachelet government instituted specific refugee policies. While most refugees and asylum seekers as of late hail from Colombia, Chile has also welcomed small numbers of refugees from Cuba, Haiti, Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, and Rwanda. Currently, however, the largest immigration issue within the country is their lack of law and policies on migration, specifically, as migrants from many South American countries now call Chile home.
On another note, since I've never been to South America at all, and because I like to read up on a place before I travel there, I recently started this book to learn a little more about Chilean history and experiences during and after Pinochet.. If anyone would like to join in and discuss either before or while we are in Chile, that would be fantastic. Or, if you have suggestions about additional books or articles, please let me know!
Sources:
Chilean Immigration
Chile: A Growing Destination Country in Search of a Coherent Approach to Migration