Web Posted: 07/17/2008 12:49 CDT Hometown groups called effective
The little research conducted on these mostly informal groups shows how they help immigrants funnel dollars back home for development projects, said Will Somerville, an analyst with the Migration Policy Institute, a nonpartisan think tank in Washington, D.C.

A deeper look shows they play a critical role integrating new immigrants into U.S. society, Somerville said.

“Those who join, form and organize hometown associations are likely to be leading members of their communities,â€