Kansas Crossroads: Stories of Southeast Asian Immigrants"

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To summarize the connection Kansas has with this specific group of immigrants I first looked at the online article the Kansas Historical Society article, "Asian Americans in Kansas". Thus, they were primarily drawn to southwest Kansas to work in the meat-packing plants in cities like Garden City and Dodge City (June 2011). As noted by americanimmigrationcouncil.org's article, "Immigrants in Kansas" Southeast Asian immigrants, particularly Vietnamese, Laotian, and Cambodian communities, have established a significant presence in Kansas since the 1980s (Aug. 2020)".This influx has contributed to the cultural diversity of the region, with these communities maintaining their cultural traditions while adapting to local customs. In recent years, the number of Asian immigrants has continued to grow in Kansas, with many settling in major cities and smaller towns alike. In the online article, "Asian Americans in Kansas" we read that Southeast Asian immigrants of KS have brought with them rich cultural traditions, such as the Vietnamese New Year's celebrations, which are now part of the local cultural landscape (Kansas Historical Society, June 2011). As noted by americanimmigrationcouncil.org, these communities contribute to the state's economy, particularly in the agricultural and meat-packing industries, and add to the multicultural fabric of Kansas (August 6, 2020).

The kinds of jobs they do are "Meat-packing plants in cities like Garden City and Dodge City (Kansas Historical Society, June 2011), Immigrant workers are a significant part of the Kansas workforce, with the largest numbers found in various industries such as manufacturing, accommodation and food services, construction, healthcare and social assistance, and educational services. They are also present in various occupations, such as production, transportation and material moving, building and grounds cleaning & maintenance, construction and extraction, and food preparation and serving related. Once again americanimmigrationcouncil.org notes that Southeast Asian immigrants are also present in various occupation categories, including life, physical, and social science, computer and mathematical, and construction and extraction" (August 6, 2020).

How Southeast Asian immigrants of KS are faring economically can be seen by asiasociety.org's article "Asian Americans Then and Now Linking Past to Present" through their reasons of coming to KS which are "escape from war, social chaos, discrimination, and economic hardship" ("n.d."). Despite leaving their country they are doing economically well by looking for better jobs by choice so they can in turn have a better life. Americanimmigrationcouncil.org reports that while some immigrants face challenges such as lower educational attainment and language barriers, a substantial portion of the community has managed to achieve economic stability, with some immigrants earning lower wages and facing economic hardships (August 6, 2020). Even so, as the New American Economy's Research Fund article "New Americans in Southwest Kansas and Ford County" notes it is only through community organizations and support networks that positively influence in the aid of helping new arrivals integrate and improve their economic standing (March 3, 2022).

Southeast Asian immigrants of KS are getting along with others in the area? Mai, A. of the Kansas Reflector informs us in her article, "Taking representation into our own hands: Asian American group begins community engagement effort" that yes, they have helped form community organizations that help other southeast asian immigrants (2022, April 27). As stated by Kansas Historical Society's article, "Asian Americans in Kansas", "They continue to follow their cultural traditions...as well as adapting to the local culture. More than 60,000 persons of Asian descent were identified in the 2010 U.S. Census. Housing in general and as noted by KSU's Dr. Janet E. Benson's article "Garden City: Meatpacking and Immigration to the High Plains" has many issues, one of them due to Southeast Asian immigrants being labeled as "transients [who do] not pay...taxes" [compared to their counterparts" ("n.d."). All in all and As a community I would say the Southeast Asian immigrants of KS have adapted well and have shown us how to celebrate our differences as they are part of what makes KS so culturally diverse.