History of Somalis in Maine facts for kids

Somalis are a group of people from Somalia who have moved to Maine in the United States. By 2013, about 10,000 Somalis lived in the cities of Lewiston and Portland, Maine.

History of Somalis in Maine

A Somali woman in Lewiston.

In the early 2000s, many Somali immigrants living in other parts of the United States started moving to Maine. They chose Maine because it had a low crime rate, good schools, and affordable homes. This move is sometimes called a "secondary migration."

In October 2002, the mayor of Lewiston, Laurier T. Raymond, wrote a public letter to Somali community leaders. He was worried that more people moving to the city would strain local services. He asked them to tell other Somalis not to move to Lewiston. This letter upset some people and gained national attention. Both supporters and opponents of the immigrants held demonstrations in Lewiston.

The Somali-owned Mogadishu Business Center in Lewiston.

In January 2003, a small group with extreme views came to Lewiston to support the mayor. At the same time, about 4,000 people held a much larger counter-demonstration at Bates College. This event led to the creation of the "Many and One Coalition." The mayor was not in the state that day, but the governor, John Baldacci, and other officials attended the larger rally.

In 2006, a frozen pig's head was thrown into a Lewiston mosque while about 40 men were praying. This act was very offensive to the Muslim community, as pigs are forbidden in Islam. A man later admitted to the act, saying it was a joke.

Also in 2006, a study by KPMG International named Lewiston as the best place to do business in New England. In January 2009, Newsweek magazine reported that Lewiston's crime rate had dropped, incomes had risen, and business activity had increased. They connected these positive changes to the recent immigration of Somalis to the town.

In June 2011, the Lewiston Sun Journal newspaper also noted that more and more Somali immigrants were graduating from high school. Many were also enrolling in local community colleges. These students included both adults and recent high school graduates. In 2015, immigrants from Somalia helped the Lewiston High School boys' soccer team, known as the Blue Devils, win the state championships.

Somali Community in Maine

A Somali shop on Lisbon Street.

In 2011, about 5,000 Somali immigrants lived in Lewiston. Another 5,000 Somalis also lived in Portland. The Immigrant Resource Center estimated that around 7,500 people from East Africa, including Somalis, lived in Androscoggin County, where Lewiston is located.

Somalis have created community centers to support their people. In 2001, the United Somali Women of Maine (USWM) was started in Lewiston. This non-profit group works to help Somali women and girls across the state. The Somali Community Resource Center in Portland offers English and citizenship classes, among other services. The Somali Cultural & Development Association also helps the community.

By 2014, the most common non-English language spoken by students in the Lewiston Public Schools was Somali. About 90% of the students who did not speak English as their first language spoke Somali.

Commerce and Businesses

In August 2010, the Lewiston Sun Journal reported that Somali business owners had helped make downtown Lewiston lively again. They opened many shops in buildings that used to be empty. Local merchants of French-Canadian background and Somali shopkeepers also reported having friendly relationships.