Why there are so few Somali-American in NYC ?

[Aegon]

The most iconic city in the US don't have a much somali population, why

 

[LilBang]

Its way better for us to have large populated areas in non popping cities tbh

 

[TheLand]

U.S. Immigration placed Somali refugees in certain locations like Minnesota and Portland, Maine. The rest followed because of the large Somali community. Had they been placed in NYC, it would have been what Minnesota is today for Somalis in America.

 

[dhaxabaay]

They’re all upstate and quiet tbh

 

[Killamenace78]

When I lived in Buffalo New York, there were a lot of Somali Bantu in the city

 

[Chaseyourdreamzz]

There used to be a lot in the 80s I have some family friends who lived their

 

[Kisame]

The most iconic city in the US don't have a much somali population, why

We got a lot of bantus living in Rochester. In NYC itself we mainly just have a few Somali college students and professionals living our there.

 

[Idilinaa]

Somalia population is growing and more are moving there lately from other cities.


But historically there was a big community of Somalis in NYC. And they were the first Muslim and African immigrant community, a trailblazing community that formed there from the beginning of the 1900s and it kept growing until the late 1980s but the war changed their migration direction.

Fun fact though, the earliest Somalis in America from 1910s were Sailors and Merchants who settled in NYC who set up businesses, stations, community centers, restaurants and shops. Even helped build the subway stations . Some even ended up partaking in the civil rights struggles of the 1960s

Somalis in NYC were the first African immigrant community in America and the first Muslim group in the United States.

It's an interesting read:

Harlem Roses: Tracing the Somali Histories of New York City

Some notes on my latest research project: a close narration of the archives of Somali seafarers in New York City.

hudahassan.substack.com

Some notes on my latest research project: a close narration of the archives of Somali seafarers in New York City.​

According to Somali elders, this Somali scent arrived in Harlem through a man named Haji Sateen Yusuf. He came to New York long before Ega. A Somali seafarer, he moved to the city in 1911 in search of work. To support himself, he helped build MTA subway stations including Jamaica Stn. He also found other hustles. Sateen was not isolated when he arrived at the turn of the 20th century. He met with a dozen other Somali roses who’d made a home in Harlem.

Somalis settled in the Bowery before moving up to Harlem as subway lines were laid, in part by Somalis themselves. This community represented the first African immigrant group and the first Islamic group in the United States. The voyage was harsh, taking 18 months from Somalia to New York around the southern tip of Africa

 

[Chaseyourdreamzz]

Somalia population is growing and more are moving there lately from other cities.


But historically there was a big community of Somalis in NYC. And they were the first Muslim and African immigrant community, a trailblazing community that formed there from the beginning of the 1900s and it kept growing until the late 1980s but the civil war changed it.

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[Idilinaa]

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[PilferingKombucha]

U.S. Immigration placed Somali refugees in certain locations like Minnesota and Portland, Maine. The rest followed because of the large Somali community. Had they been placed in NYC, it would have been what Minnesota is today for Somalis in America.

Not to mention the fact that Minnesota and Maine are redneck states.

Being in NYC would be far more calming for Soomali immigrants.

 

[TheLand]

Not to mention the fact that Minnesota and Maine are redneck states.

Being in NYC would be far more calming for Soomali immigrants.

Minnesota is not a redneck state lol it’s among the most liberal overall. Maine isn’t bad either, just cold and remote.

 

[PilferingKombucha]

Minnesota is not a redneck state lol it’s among the most liberal overall. Maine isn’t bad either, just cold and remote.

Yeah but Oregon is.

 

[Burqad]

Why do you guys obsess over this? NYC waa gaajo.

 

[Burqad]

U.S. Immigration placed Somali refugees in certain locations like Minnesota and Portland, Maine. The rest followed because of the large Somali community. Had they been placed in NYC, it would have been what Minnesota is today for Somalis in America.

Somalis were placed in San Diego originally because of the climate and the fact that Somali soldiers used to train at Camp Pendleton, they moved to Minnesota and Maine for the jobs

 

[Chaseyourdreamzz]

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@Shangani is a nyc Somali on here I believe

 

[PilferingKombucha]

Why do you guys obsess over this? NYC waa gaajo.

It's mid tbh.

London is better.

 

[TheLand]

Somalis were placed in San Diego originally, they moved to Minnesota and Maine for the jobs

True some Somalis were, and they did move to Minnesota. Tons of them were originally placed in Minnesota and Maine. I think the state governor has to sign off on it.

 

[Chaseyourdreamzz]

True some Somalis were, and they did move to Minnesota. Tons of them were originally placed in Minnesota and Maine. I think the state governor has to sign off on it.

The Maine people came from Atlanta in the early 2000s

 

[Idilinaa]

There are more Somalis in Colombus, Ohio then in Portland , Maine and some in Chicago, DC and Cali. There is also Somalis in Texas.

The most surprising Somalis population has to be in Pheonix Arizona.

Phoenix is Home to Thousands of Somalis - Global City Mission Initiative

Phoenix is an emerging global city and dynamic international mission field. It may not be obvious at first, but one of the areas where you can encounter the nations next door is along McDowell Road, home to the Somali Association of Arizona. You can cruise along McDowell Road to find halal...

globalcitymission.org

Based on some estimates the Somali population in Phoenix may be between 15,000 to 20,000.

Somalis outside of Minnesota live scattered, they go to wherever it's affordable and gives them job opportunities. NYC was mostly a base for Somali expats and students. And still is returning to that now.

The government didn't place them in those locations from what i can understand it.