[Siamese Princess]

Used to be that you had to prove you had someone to help you when you came over here.

An immigrant still requires a sponsor. Back around 1996, I believe, at the federal level at least, there was a cut back in what government services an immigrant could legally collect. Up until 1980, even a refugee needed a sponsor. Now, refugees who have been in the country for 20 years continue to collect welfare (though they may be working off the books).

I've mentioned before about reading a newspaper article about the buzz in Somalia being "come to Minnesota for the best handouts". They came.

Minnesota? Or Maine? There have been discussions about a massive influx of Somalis into Lewiston, Maine -- many of them from Atlanta. Bigger welfare checks in Maine.

[Lijahsbubbe]

Yes, I'm sure of the article. It was in the Pioneer Press, and mentioned my county specifically. I remember stories about the influx in Maine also, and how their social services were being overloaded.

The Twin Cities area has the largest population of Somalians in the U.S. The Twin Cities area also has the largest number of Hmong of any metropolitan area in the nation.

Interesting point about Maine's welfare checks. I didn't know anyone could beat Minnesota's!