Philip Dine, a Post-Dispatch reporter, columnist and editor from 1987 to 2008, in 1995 examined the growing influx of immigrants and refugees to St. Louis in "An Invisible Population." This year, he revisited the topic. His stories Sunday and today look at the local situation in light of the poor economy, rising national controversy and evolving immigration flow to St. Louis.

Funding for this series came from the Enterprise Journalism Fund of the Press Club of Metropolitan St. Louis. Learn more at stlpressclub.org.

Online

Part 1 • Open arms lead to influx. stltoday.com

Video

• St. Louis immigrants speak about their experiences.

• Radio station WEW-AM 770 is the oldest radio station west of the Mississippi and the second-oldest in the country. See how its shows help to represent the diversity of St. Louis.