Integration Nation: Immigrants, Refugees, and America at Its Best

In this well-written collection of case studies, Eaton (The Children in Room E4) and her collaborators explore civic efforts focused on the integration—rather than assimilation—of immigrants, a concept that celebrates the talents of established residents and newcomers alike. Utah invests in dual immersion language classes. Philadelphia gambles on (and wins with) the economic opportunity represented by immigration—not surprising, since a 1990–2010 study found “immigrant businesses accounted for 30 percent of the nation’s growth in small businesses.” Boise, Id., welcomes Somali refugees with community gardens. Congregations of different faiths in Omaha, Neb., share space, expenses, and experience. A credit union in Durham, N.C., provides safe savings and fiscal education for immigrants previously vulnerable to robbery. Throughout, the authors stress that integration is not just occurring on the coasts or along the borders; immigrants are also joining communities where civic leaders are just as worried about declining rural populations as about the newcomers in their midst. This useful book provides models for civic organizations that want to tackle immigration challenges, and it paints a vivid picture of some real successes. (Feb.)