Integration in a Small New England Town: A Case Study of Refugees in Towns, Augusta, Maine, USA

The Augusta report explores primarily Middle Eastern refugees who arrived as "secondary" migrants to a small town in Maine. They have experienced a range of challenges and successes integrating with "Old Mainer" society, facing a pervasive attitude of scarcity among residents whose ancestors arrived as French Canadian economic migrants generations ago. After describing the integration challenges with Augusta's public services, housing market, and cultural barriers, the report offers a glimmer of hope with "World to Table," a "culinary diplomacy" venue started by the authors.