Like most Hispanic immigrants, Colombians coming to the United States did not start to appear in significant numbers until recent decades. In 1960, fewer than 3,000 of us had immigrated to the United States, but by 1965, that number had grown to 11,000. Another 65,000 of us came during the late-1960s, followed by the peak years of Colombian immigration in the 1970s when up to 78,000 of us made our way to the US. In the 1980s, this wave started to taper off and today a slow but steady stream of our people still move from Colombia to the United States. We have immigrated to traditional Hispanic destinations such as New York City, Florida and New Jersey, but also to where we find ourselves today; in Rhode Island and Massachusetts!Today the Colombian community of New England still continues to grow strong! There are now over 15,000 living in RI and Massachusetts! We have grown to the point where one could walk down one of the main streets of cities sush as East Boston, Chelsea & Central Falls and find Spanish-language signs boasting Colombian-owned markets, restaurants, bakeries, record stores, beauty salons, and even a social service agency founded by Colombians. We have arrived, and we will continue to Prosper! Que viva Colombia!!!!!!ESTA VIDA
