Municipal Collaboration in Response to Secondary Migration

This book examines governmental and public sector collaboration within the context of immigrant and refugee resettlement. The arrival of large numbers of Somali and other secondary migrants into the cities of Portland and Lewiston, Maine offers a unique opportunity to examine the nature and intensity of the collaborative process. This book explores how and why the collaboration between the two cities, the first of its type in the nation, was established, how it evolved and what was accomplished. The political and social environments, diverse community partners, barriers to success and the role of leadership are studied, as well. In the absence of comprehensive federal policies and guidelines for immigrant resettlement, it is hoped that this study of municipal collaboration may offer guidance and inspiration to community leaders and policy makers, as they address the challenges and explore the opportunities brought about by increased immigration in municipalities, both large and small, across the nation.