The apparent, and likely fraudulent, victory by Hugo Chavez in Venezuela may mean more immigrants for the Katy area west of Houston.
Since President Hugo Chavez took office in 1999, thousands of former middle- and upper-income Venezuelans have moved to the United States and created their own little corners here.Posted by Alan at August 16, 2004 06:22 AMMore than 10,000 Venezuelans now live in the Houston area, estimates Wladimir Torres, 51, publisher of the monthly newspaper El Venezolano de Houston. That's up from the 1,592 Venezuelans counted in the 2000 census.
Unusual among their neighbors for their low levels of emigration, Venezuelans until recently enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle because of the nation's oil wealth. Many of Chavez's opponents blame the coup-leader-turned-president for destroying that way of life.
But the Bayou City also has attracted thousands of these immigrants because they expected to find jobs here, particularly in Houston's oil sector, where former employees of the state-owned oil company, Petróleos de Venezuela, or PDVSA, can utilize their experience.
"The ones who are really serious about getting a future here in the U.S., they are coming here to Houston," said Mary Grunewaldt, an oil-industry consultant.
She moved to the United States 13 years ago and has watched the Venezuelan community multiply, especially in the last three years.
Many of these recent arrivals are flocking to the Katy area, which Venezuelans now refer to as "Katy-zuela." They can afford $80,000 to $190,000 houses because many arrive with their life savings. They choose the Katy area because they approve of the school district and many work in the energy sector in west Houston.
"Katy is just a huge melting pot because of the oil, gas and high-tech influence out here," said Ann Hodge, president and chief executive officer of the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce.
"As a result, the foreign-born feel comfortable and are welcomed with open arms by our community."
And since Citgo Petroleum Corp., a subsidiary of PDVSA, began its relocation from Tulsa, Okla., to west Houston's energy corridor last Monday, more Venezuelans are expected to move to the Katy area.