The Metro: Why is metro Detroit home to so many Maltese Americans?
Metro Detroit has the largest population of Maltese Americans in the country at nearly 13,000, but preserving family histories is an uphill battle. Joseph Lubig, author of “Maltese in Michigan” joins The Metro to discuss immigration stories and cultural connection for the Maltese community.
A cake commemorates 70 years in America for Maltese American family, the Zampa's. Metro Detroit is home to the highest concentration of Maltese Americans in the U.S.
Malta is a country in the Mediterranean that is nearly the size of Detroit. Immigrants first came to the metro area more than a century ago for factory jobs. With the Catholic Church serving as a critical community connection, Maltese families stayed in the region.
With an estimated population of 13,000, Southeast Michigan boasts the nation’s highest concentration of Maltese Americans.
Local clubs and gathering spaces remain, including the Maltese American Community Club of Dearborn and Maltese-American Benevolent Society.
Despite a rich history in metro Detroit, the challenge of preserving Maltese identity and carrying on traditions like food and language gets more difficult every year.
Joesph Lubig is a professor at Northern Michigan University, and he wrote the book “Maltese in Michigan.”
He joined The Metro to discuss what attracted immigrants to the region, why the Maltese language is important and how so many Maltese immigrants find a home in metro Detroit.
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