The History of Ethiopian Immigrants and Refugees in America, 1900-2000

Ethiopians form the third largest post-1960 African immigrant in the U.S. Over the years, their migratory patterns have changed in response to changes in Ethiopian and American diplomatic relationships. The Ethiopian immigrants also vary among themselves depending on whether they were granted asylum, are refugees, or benefit from the Diversity Visa (DV) lottery winners. Getahun studies the context of the immigrants' arrival, their patterns of settlement, and their adjustment in the U.S. Differences between immigrants may be explained by ethnic or regional origin, class, politics, and religion. The resultant communities support social and religious institutions and Ethiopians are succeeding in establishing community organizations and religious institutions and seek to influence U.S foreign policy towards Ethiopia.