Title: A Multicultural Perspective on Immigration
1A Multicultural Perspective on Immigration
- Jill Kerper Mora, Ed.D.
- San Diego State University
- http//coe.sdsu.edu/people/jmora
2Rank order these concerns about current levels of
immigration from 1 to 5
- We need border security to prevent terrorism and
other crimes. - Immigrants are taking jobs away from American
citizens low-paid immigrant workers are pulling
down wages overall for American workers - New immigrants are not assimilating into American
culture as did previous generations of immigrants - Immigrants are clinging to the language and
culture of their country of origin and not
shifting their loyalty to the United States. - Immigrants are a burden to society due to their
use of social services in disproportion to their
contribution in taxes.
3Our Greatest Fears
- Concerns about cultural assimilation of new
immigrants into the American mainstream outweigh
economic concerns and fears about national
security in the minds of most Americans. Many of
these concerns are based on myths and
misunderstandings about current patterns of
assimilation. These cause us to pursue laws and
policies that aggravate the situations and
conditions we fear rather than improve our lives
in a diverse society.
4The Classic Melting Pot Model
- The Melting Pot Model assumes that ethnic
differences will disappear as immigrants
assimilate and become indistinguishable from
mainstream Americans, at least in terms of
speaking English and adopting American values,
customs and traditions. It is based on an
idealized definition of what it means to be an
American.
5Cracks in the Melting Pot
- Percentages and numbers of documented vs.
undocumented immigrants among the population - Patterns of border crossings and legal/illegal
entry into the USA - Geographic dispersal of immigrant populations and
formation of ethnic enclaves - Economic impact of immigrant populations
- Patterns of economic, cultural and linguistic
integration and social mobility
6Immigration Then Now
- How is immigration today different from
immigration at the beginning of the 20th century?
Who were the immigrants then now? Were they
young or old, families or single men/women? Where
did they come from? Where did they arrive and
settle in the United States? Did they maintain
ties with their countries of origin? Did
immigrants go back and forth between their native
countries and the USA?
7Historical Patterns of Assimilation
- Assimilation with upward mobility across
generations or downward assimilation into
social economic underclass - Identification with American dominant societys
cultural values, customs traditions - Transitional bilingualism
- English monolingualism after second or third
generation
8Realities of Current Immigration
- Percentages and numbers of documented and
undocumented immigrants among the population - Geographic dispersal of immigrant populations and
ethnic enclaves - Economic impact of immigrant populations
- Patterns of cultural and linguistic integration
- Patterns of border crossings and legal/illegal
entry into the USA
9Immigration Status as a Factor in Assimilation
- The population of the USA is comprised of 20
immigrants. 75 are legal residents. - Three types of undocumented or illegal
immigrants Entry without inspection visa
overstayers or violators of terms of a legal
visa, such as a tourist who takes a job. Visa
overstayers are 40 of illegal immigrants (OHS,
2007). - There are an estimated 12 million undocumented
immigrants in the USA (Pew Hispanic Center,
2006). - Lack of legal status is a significant obstacle to
social, economic and cultural integration.
10Economic Impact of Immigration The Ambivalent
Reception
- Globalization, trade, competition for workers,
changing patterns of comsumption - Incorporation of immigrant laborers into U.S.
economy - Overall costs benefits of immigration and
undocumented workers - Uneven distribution of costs between federal
state governments - Age demographics Social security retirements
vs. demand for young workers
11Impact on Workers Wages(Borgas, Harvard Univ.,
2007)
- An increased labor supply between 1980-2000 due
to immigration reduced wages for U.S. born men by
approximately 4 and among non-high school
graduates by 7.4 or 30 per week average wage. - Undocumented workers create demand that leads to
new jobs and economic activity. - Some industries such as agriculture are heavily
dependent on temporary migrant labor. - The economic impact of illegal immigration is far
smaller than other trends in the economy, such as
automation in manufacturing and the growth of
global trade.
12Benefit or Burden?
- Between 55-65 of illegal immigrants have income
tax and social security withheld from their
paychecks. - These deductions amounted to 7.3 billion in
2005. Very little of this money is reclaimed in
refunds and/or benefits. This amount kept the
social security fund from running at a deficit
(more money going out than coming in) for that
fiscal year. - Economists generally believe that when averaged
over the whole economy, the effect of illegal
immigrations is a small net positive, estimated
at a 1 increase in the average Americans
wealth.
13The New Diaspora
- 7 major US cities are home to the majority of
immigrants. More than a third of undocumented
immigrants live in 3 cities New York, Los
Angeles and Chicago. - Until the mid 1990s, most new immigrants joined
immigrant communities with strong networks for
assisting newcomers in adapting to the new
culture. - A number of factors caused the dispersal of
immigrants throughout the USA to states that
previously had not experienced large-scale
immigration.
14Factors Driving Geographic Dispersal
- Saturation of large immigrant communities
- New sources of employment for immigrants
- Patterns of seasonal or temporary migration
- Restrictions on border crossings preventing
visits and returns of Mexican workers - Increased risks of illegal crossings
- Transnationalism networking between sending and
receiving communities
15Impact of Emigration on Mexico The Push-Pull
Paradigm
- Geopolitical realities We will forever be
neighbors. - De-population factors impact on present
future work force - Mexicos economic growth development prospects
- Mexicos social structure family desintegration
- Impact on sending and receiving communities
16Linguistic Assimilation
- 90 of U.S born Mexican immigrants speak English
well. - In border regions, 70 of households are
Spanish/English bilingual, 30 are English
monolingual. - Further from the border, 60 of Mexican American
children speak only English. - 75 of third generation immigrant families in
non-border states speak only English.
17Then Why the Rise in Anti-immigrant Sentiments?
- Fear of social and cultural change.
- Fear of differences and divisions.
- Fear of loss of control over social institutions
and processes. - Increased visibility of the issue because of
political legislative actions to reform
immigration laws. - Lack of understanding of international
inter-relationships and globalization with the
increased need for cooperation across national
boundaries in dealing with increased migration
and expatriate communities.
18Obstacles to Cultural Integration
- Lack of economic opportunities from low levels of
education, job skills, language skills,
job-seeking skills and networks - Limitations on civic participation and ability to
benefit from the fruits of ones labor - Exploitation in the workplace
- Ethnic enclaves and social isolation
- Racism, prejudice linguistic discrimination
19The Immigration Policy Debate Rhetorical Symbols
- Discuss with a classmate the ideas emotions
associated with these symbols or phrases - Protest marchers waving the Mexican flag
- Press one for English
- Jobs that Americans wont do
- Rewarding lawbreakers
- Cutting off the jobs magnet
- Bilingual education
20Ideologies of Cultural Integration
- Nativism Us versus Them
- Restrictionism The Chosen
- Assimilation The Melting Pot
- Acculturation The Mosaic
21Nativism
- Rights of membership and citizenship in the
nation-state based on birth within its
territorial boundries. (Fourteen Ammendment to
the U.S. Constitution) - Proposals by some factions to limit rights of
citizenship by birth to children of legal
residents and citizens, which would require a
constitutional ammendment - Solution to immigration problem is
criminalization of undocumented status and
deportation
22Restrictionism
- Objective is to control who becomes a legal
resident or citizen. - Full admission to civic society of a restricted
number of immigrants who qualify, except for the
right to vote. - Under some federal and state laws, limits placed
on social benefits for legal immigrants. - Does not address the traditional and current
push-pull factors in migration across the
US-Mexico and the vested interests of business
and industry in both legal and illegal
immigration.
23Assimilation
- Based on the belief that cultural homogeneity or
a common culture are desirable, even
indispensible, for a functional nation-state. - Looks to past experiences of immigrant groups in
assimilating into American society. - Emphasizes importance of common language, values,
traditions for societal cohesion and national
unity. - Recognizes the realities of upward social
mobility of immigrants in the process of becoming
part of the American mainstream. - Sociologists consider assimilation to be a
positive but not an inevitable end-product of
cultural integration.
24Forced Assimilation The Brutal Bargain
- Demands are placed on immigrants to abandon the
language cultural practices of their country of
origin - Fails to recognize possibilities benefits of
transnational, multicultural identities - Results in reaction formation among immigrants
to reassert their national and cultural identity - Results in polarization of society on issues of
language, culture and belonging to a nation-state
25Acculturation
- Based on the belief that multiculturalism and
binational bicultural identities are positive
assets to the nation-state and to individuals - Recognizes transnational lives of todays
immigrant communities and individuals - Accepts and promotes bilingualism as a valuable
individual, group societal resource - Builds on social cultural resources immigrants
bring to the USA, including strong identification
with older generations cultural values and
traditions
26Cultural Integration Across Generations The
Social Capital Model
- Acceptance by society of cultural and linguistic
diversity - Full civil legal status with the accompanying
rights responsibilities - Human capital strong immigrant community
support networks - Educational, professional entrepreneurial
opportunities, which sustain achievement drive - Positive interactions with native English
speakers and proficient bilinguals
27Our Policy OptionsWhich Ones Address the Core
Concerns?
- Criminalization of illegal immigration status
- Large-scale deportations
- A border fence
- Increased border security
- Increased numbers and types of legal visas
including temporary work visas - Legalization and paths to citizenship
28Toward a Multicultural Society
- Critical examination of brutal bargain policies
that produce negative reactions, isolation and
discrimination against immigrants - Support for immigrant communities and
acculturation networks to build social capital - Avoidance of unintended consequences of misguided
or ineffective laws and policies. - Enacting laws and policies that enhance
assimilation and full integration of immigrants
as contributing members of society.
29Implications for Education
- Bilingual education as a positive model of
acculturation - Critical examination of equity issues involved
standards accountability movement - Promoting educational aspirations and
opportunities among and for Latino students - Fostering positive bicultural multicultural
identities among immigrant students - Outreach to immigrant parents and communities to
build connections between home and school
30Further Reading
- Alba, R. Nee, V. (2003). Remaking the American
mainstream Assimilation contemporary
immigration. Cambridge, MA Harvard University
Press - Chomsky, A. (2007). They take our jobs! and 20
other myths about immigration. Boston, MA Beacon
Press. - Jacoby, T. (Ed.) (2004). Reinventing the Melting
Pot The New Immigrants and what it means to be
American. New York, NY Perseus Book Group. - Portes, A., Rumbaut, R.G. (2001). Legacies The
story of the immigrant second generation.
Berkeley, CA University of California Press.