Venezuelan Community in Miami

 

Arriving in Miami for the first time and hearing Spanish in every corner, one wonders if one is really in the United States, and quickly realizes why this city is considered the Hispanic capital of the country. And when visiting the city of El Doral, in Miami-Dade County, you might think you have entered Caracas, where arepas are sold everywhere and the Venezuelan flag is seen more than the American flag.

 

Venezuelans are the latest unstoppable wave of migration feeding Miami's melting pot of Latino cultures. According to the latest Democratic Vision Foundation study based on U.S. Census Bureau data, there are an estimated 200,000 in South Florida, half of which live all across the country.

 

Most have arrived in the last 10 years, pushed by the crisis of the government of Nicolás Maduro and his predecessor, Hugo Chávez. The number of immigrants went from 164,903 in 2005, to 418,366 in 2017, more than doubling (253%) in just over a decade.

 

"Around 19,000 Venezuelans live in Doral, 28% of the city's population, plus those we don't know about, because they have arrived recently and end up at an aunt's house, a relative, a friend...", says Alfredo Ortega, the Venezuelan head of the mayor's office, in a conversation with EL MUNDO.

 

Ortega highlights the significant increase in the number of his compatriots in recent months, and mentions the efforts made by the mayor's office to help the newcomers. They have given seminars and talks on immigration, and have a network of contacts that offer support, such as churches, state offices, and organizations.

Doral stands out as the fastest growing city in Florida.

 

Coveted in both the residential and commercial sectors, this municipality has been among the most active during this decade.

 

A study by the U.S. Census Bureau, verified by the Metropolitan Center of Florida International University, determined that Doral stands out as the fastest growing city in Florida and number eleven in the entire country. The analysis was based on the speed with which businesses and residential areas have been created.

 

The arrival of people from other countries has visibly impacted Doral, between 2010 and 2016, with a 26.1% increase in its population, which represents about 12,000 people.

 

It is estimated that the factors of the growth are linked to an increase in job opportunities, the low levels of crime, geographic location, quality of schools, and more affordable housing offers.

 

In reports from the City of Doral, this location was added in 2003 to the list of 34 municipalities in Miami-Dade County. At that time, it had 22,709 inhabitants. Currently, the number has increased by more than half, to some 58,000 residents.

 

In the U.S. Census Bureau's report, Miami ranked eighth in terms of growth rate, with a 13.1% increase in its population, as reported by Miami Today.

 

The study also mentions details of the population increase in Miami-Dade County. During the period analyzed, the county's population increased by 8.2%, which is due, first of all, to the arrival of people from other places and, secondly, to the balance of born over dead.

 

West Miami was the second fastest-growing county in Miami-Dade, with 24.6% in this decade. Last year alone, 7,459 new residents were registered in that municipality.

Also, significant population increases have been detected in North Bay Village, Coconut Grove, Brickell, downtown Miami, Homestead, and Cutler Bay.