Researcher Studies Hispanic Immigration to SW Kansas

GARDEN CITY, Kan. (AP) – A Kansas State University researcher is studying why southwest Kansas, instead of more populated areas, has become a new gateway for Hispanic immigration.

The Wichita Eagle (http://bit.ly/11anZ13 ) reports Matthew Sanderson is also studying what motivates Hispanics to come to Garden City, Liberal and Ulysses and how they are adapting to life there.

The associate professor of sociology says it’s clear there is a strong demand for immigrant labor in the area, but that many Hispanics who move there would have preferred to stay in their home countries.

Sanderson says the unexpected rise of rural destinations has interested social scientists. Last summer he led a student group that conducted interviews with more than 140 immigrants, mostly in Garden City, and found that about 70 percent came there for jobs.

—

Information from: The Wichita (Kan.) Eagle, http://www.kansas.com