As stated in the “What Made Alief Change” article rolling migration was almost imperceptible until years after it began. After the beginning influx of African Americans there was three waves of Vietnamese and other Asian groups. With the end of the Vietnamese war in 1975 the first wave of Southeast Asian refugees began to flood the United States. Catholic Charities and the YMCA were instrumental in resettling these refugees, many of whom resettled in Alief. The first wave were generally professionals and educated. The second wave were the boat people who were settled here because they were close to the coast. Man of these people were fishermen who resettled near the coast but often had family in Alief. The last wave were political prisoners who were freed from jails and were resettled here. Much of the same story holds true for other displaced persons from all over the world. It was the land of opportunity and millions of dollars have been invested in Alief businesses and infrastructure by these resettled immigrants. Many of these people have found the American dream.
For others the American dream has been elusive. This is particularly true for Hispanics. Hispanics now comprise over 50% of students in Alief public schools. Nearly 60% of the parents of these children from Mexico and El Salvador did not graduate from high school and they typically work for minimum wage or less. That does not mean that these parents don’t want more for their children. In personal interviews with hundreds of Alief ISD parents, TMO found that their dream for their children was that they go to college and experience the American dream. And even though most do not speak English when they arrive it was one of the parents goals to learn English. All Alief ISD schools have ESL classes that are well attended. Other ethnic groups making a big impact on the community are Africans and Middle Easterners. The majority of these immigrants are well educated and in many cases have opened businesses and are making an economic impact on Alief. Many of the non-Hispanic and non-African Americans are beginning to seek alternatives to public schools and are enrolling their children in private and charter schools. There are also a variety of religious venues and reflect the diversity of the community.
There are demographic indications that the rolling migration is continuing and that the Asian population may now be beginning to migrate further West and Southwest into more affluent neighborhoods. The test for the community will be whether the community can stabilize around its current demographics where institution such as schools, the business community, religious institutions and the International Management District can create a more organic community.
As in all communities there are several critical components to creating an organic community. They include:
1. Keeping crime in check
2. Maintaining a strong school system that is supported by parents and other community stakeholders.
3. Creating a viable business community that creates living wage jobs for those in the community
4. Building a relational community that crosses religious, ethnic, and economic lines
5. Stabilizing the community where people put down roots and call Alief their home.
6. Ensuring that there is a viable and affordable housing stock
7. Provide an environment where community observances such as parades, holiday celebrations etc. can bring the community together.
Much is being done to create this environment and TMO looks forward to being a part of it.
TMO Alief 
