Integration challenges that Somali immigrants face in Canada are enormous, and first-generation immigrants are unlikely to overcome some of the challenges. But what is integration? “In the Canadian context, integration is defined as a two-way street where newcomers and the host society adapt to each other. The goal is for immigrants to fully participate in the economic, social, cultural, and political life of the country while keeping their own cultural identity and values.”
Somalia’s insurgent strife that took momentum in the late 1980s and later on morphed into a civil war which culminated in the country’s disintegration in 1991, forced hordes of Somalis to leave their country and seek refuge elsewhere. Somalia ceased as a functioning government with its institutions in ruins. As a result, civilians began escaping the civil war and mayhem that engulfed the country. Utilizing whatever transportation means they could afford, they fled east and west, anywhere that might accept them.
A large number of them arrived in Canada as refugees, needing all sorts of assistance. Like other immigrants new to Canada, the Somali immigrants needed necessities of life, which Canada provided for them generously. Most of them were single men, and married men who left their wives and children behind. Of course, those who could come to Canada at the time possessed financial capability, for they purchased expensive plane tickets that warranted long flights. Many of them flew from the Arab Gulf countries, where they had resided for years.
Also, a good number of Somali military men who were training in the US crossed the border to Canada. They were military soldiers sent to the US to get training. After completing their military training, some (while the military government was still intact) decided not to return home; instead, they crossed the US-Canada border and sought asylum in Canada. For other Somali military men, they were still in training when the central government collapsed. Because the US administration could not grant them refugee status based on how they came to the country, they crossed over to Canada to seek refuge.
Canada welcomed them, provided them with food and shelter, and listened to their refugee claims. While some claimants’ cases were accepted, other claimants’ cases were rejected, leaving them in limbo. This section of the Somali asylum seekers met mental stress and faced a gloomy future. They could not foretell what the future held for them, or whether they would ever reunite with their loved ones.
For the fortunate ones who had secured permanent residence in Canada, they were able to sponsor their families and bring them to the country. As a result, hordes of Somali families streamed to Canada and reunited with their loved ones. Also, the government sponsored many Somalis from refugee camps in Kenya and Ethiopia. As some government sources indicate, between 1988 and 1996, over 55,000 Somali refugees arrived in Canada.
The Somali immigrants thronged in Quebec and Ontario, the two largest provinces, respectively. Later on, they relocated to other provinces such as Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba. And Somali immigration to Canada continued and is continuing, as they continually arrive under different categories of immigration.
Migration is an inevitable human experience and reality. And Somalis, for better or worse, have tasted that experience. With every move they have taken, they have faced challenges. Challenges—including language barriers, culture shock, unemployment, and homesickness– plague most Somali immigrants the instant they arrive in Canada.
Language barriers are main factors that prevent new Somali immigrants from achieving many things required to adapt to Canada and its sophisticated lifestyle. English and French are Canada’s two official languages, but English is the main language used in the country. Without knowing sufficient English, every move becomes complicated. Basic daily tasks—taking the bus, buying food, seeing a doctor, and looking for work—become hard.
Culture shock is another hurdle that immigrants go through. “In the context of Canadian immigration, culture shock is the deep stress, anxiety, and confusion a newcomer feels after losing familiar social cues, daily habits, and support systems when moving to an unfamiliar Canadian environment.” Coming from a Muslim society, the Somali immigrants meet anomalous matters that astound them. They are often shocked by mainstream dresses, as they are too revealing.
Food is another cultural shock the Somali immigrants meet. Because of their religious beliefs, they abstain from eating at non-halal places, restricting their food consumption choices. Hence, they remain hungry unless they carry food with them, or until they return to their homes.
Weather is another culture shock to the immigrants. Both snow and winter are anomalies to them. They cannot stand cold winters, cannot stomach dangerous snowfalls, or can walk on icy roads. And because of that, some of them yearn to leave Canada, although they feel unsafe and financially insecure back home.
Getting adequate housing is another difficulty for Somali immigrants. Despite having vast lands, Canada is short of affordable housing for its residents. With large family sizes, Somali immigrants do not get appropriate, affordable housing. Because of their urgent housing needs, many move to government houses, which juxtapose families from different cultural backgrounds, causing some troubles at times. Children of such neighbourhoods mix and mingle with each other, thereby influencing one another for better or worse. Fearing for the proper growth and upbringing of their children, some Somali families pack their belongings and leave Canada for other countries, where they think the children will fare better.
Add to this litany of integration challenges employment difficulties. The Somali immigrants face a myriad of challenges regarding getting enough paying jobs. Being Muslim and black is one of those factors that stand in the way of getting jobs, especially for women because of their hijab. Therefore, many Somali men and women work two jobs to meet necessary financial commitments. They do so to pay their routine bills—which comprise rent, food, electricity, water, and remittances. Despite their financial situations, almost all Somali households in Canada send money back home. They do so to assist their less fortunate loved ones. ( The first-generation Somali families in the diaspora send money back home, but their children (the second generation) are not likely to follow suit and send remittances.)
Integration is a thorny journey and a long process that requires determination, resilience, and perseverance. Although the Somali community in Canada works very hard, it has not yet been able to attain an encompassing integration due to the aforesaid difficulties.