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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
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Recession Pushes African Immigrants to Head Home

Many opt for slower, cheaper lifestyle

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(Newser) – The US recession is driving many middle-class African immigrants home, where life is slower and growth has lately pointed to a bright economic future, the Washington Post reports. Diaspora societies of immigrants say many members are planning to return to Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana.“The people I know here work two or three jobs just to make ends meet, while in Kenya—despite its problems—people seem more happy,” says the head of one such association.

“You really can live on about $5 a day” in Kenya, notes a former immigrant to Texas who worked 17-hour days to meet mortgage payments before he moved back. He cites an added benefit: “When I was in the US, I was close to 300 pounds. Now, I'm like 200.”

Kenyans in Kisumu, Western Kenya, Wednesday Nov. 5, 2008, celebrate the victory of president-elect Barack Obama in the American presidential election.
Kenyans in Kisumu, Western Kenya, Wednesday Nov. 5, 2008, celebrate the victory of president-elect Barack Obama in the American presidential election.   (AP Photo/Riccardo Gangale)
Kenyan opposition supporters celebrate the election of Kenneth Marende as parliament speaker, Kisumu, western Kenya, Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2008.
Kenyan opposition supporters celebrate the election of Kenneth Marende as parliament speaker, Kisumu, western Kenya, Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2008.   (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
Barnabus Ossai arranges boxes of imported computer-printer paper for sale, in his small shop in Lagos, Nigeria, Thursday, March 26, 2009.
Barnabus Ossai arranges boxes of imported computer-printer paper for sale, in his small shop in Lagos, Nigeria, Thursday, March 26, 2009.   (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)
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5 comments
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TerrifiedCitizen
May 26, 09 8:28 AM CDT
The new world... the promised land... Reply
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0
ClingingToHope
May 26, 09 8:34 AM CDT
If only the 12 million Mexicans would leave... Reply
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+1
riffran
May 26, 09 8:37 AM CDT
just the illegal ones... Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
ClingingToHope
May 26, 09 8:43 AM CDT
That's how many are illegal, give or take.
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Reader65069154
May 26, 09 10:34 AM CDT
Is "Immigrants" the new PC term for illegal immigrants, or are we to believe all of these people are here legally and returning home now? Reply
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