The Turkish Diaspora in the United Stades and Its Role in Promoting Turkish-American Relation

Abstract

Although the Turkish-American population in the United States is relatively small compared to other immigrant groups, they are becoming increasingly influential in promoting Turkish interests in their new country. According to the 1990 census, the Turkish population in the US numbers about 100.000, but the real figüre is vvell above official statistics. Turks novv constitute a part of almost ali majör American cities. Despite grovving Turkish visibility in American society, hovvever, the Turkish-American population remains largely unknovvn and undocumented. Questions about their socio-economic status, their integration in American society, their relations vvith other groups, their organizations, the interest they have in Turkish-American affairs, and, most importantly, the role they play in promoting Turkish culture and Turkish interests in the United States have not yet been examined. The purpose of this paper is thus to provide historical background on Turkish immigration to the US; examine recent trends in the grovving Turkish population by using socio-economic and demographic statistics; provide contextual information about their relations vvith other minorities and local communities; and finally, offer some conclusions and suggestions conccrning hovv the Turkish diaspora in the US can be mobilized in order to improve Turkish-American relations and to better promote Turkish interests in the United States