The excellent online news outlet, Sahan Journal, recently offered a deep look at Minnesota’s surging Ecuadorian immigrant population in this piece, Ecuadorians fleeing violence and economic distress seek a new start in Minnesota. While fewer than 200 Ecuadorian emigres arrived here in 2019, the number grew to nearly 2000 in a portion of 2024. It’s a 900 percent jump in just five years.

The Sahan Journal piece, as part of its ongoing census data reporting, examines the data and resources available to the newly arrived. It provides a look at conditions within Ecuador that drive people to traverse the dangerous Darien gap on their journey to escape violence and poverty at home. The story also hits positive notes of the efforts of Ecuadorians here to build businesses and support groups as they make the transition to a new life.

This is just another example of why it’s worth keeping a close eye on Sahan Journal for its perspective on immigrant life here, written from the point of view of those experiencing it.

(In case you thought the trip through the Darien gap as an interesting stroll, check out this documentary video that reveals it for a mud-clogged, gang-run shakedown operation for desperate people already living on the edge.)