Abstract
AbstractThe purpose of this study is to probe biased library and information science (LIS) presumptions of digital divides among U.S. immigrants. The stance of the foreign-born as “digital immigrants” departs from migration and population research which hold that gaps in immigrant Internet and technology access are rapidly closing, even when accounting for immigrant type. The research is based on analysis of the 2016 U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey data. Black immigrant households’ ICT device and Internet access were determined and then compared to those of the general population. Findings suggest that Black immigrant households primarily access the Internet through smartphone and laptop devices along with mobile and at-home hi-speed Internet plans. When compared to the general population, Black immigrant households demonstrate significantly greater smartphone access, and they maintain comparable levels of hi-speed Internet and computer/laptop device access. This study adds to a growing body of research on the narrowing digital divide gap among U.S. immigrants. Immigrants rely on the Internet to transition and integrate into U.S. society.
Highlights
Outreach to immigrant communities is a historic and celebrated aspect of the library profession
A Black immigrant is defined as a foreign-born adult of mixed or single Black race who permanently resides in the U.S This operationalization aligns with that of the United States Census Bureau. 2010 Census estimates and forecasts suggested that there were between 3.8 and 5.2 million Black immigrants in the U.S Most are of African, Afro-Caribbean and Afro-Latinx heritage
Descriptive statistics correspond with previous literature (Anderson, 2015a; 2015b; Anderson & Lopez, 2015) regarding Black immigrants’ socioeconomic outcomes: households are characterized as predominantly having married couples, the presence of children, and incomes above $30,000 annually
Summary
Outreach to immigrant communities is a historic and celebrated aspect of the library profession. Despite linguistic and cultural differences, the U.S Black immigrant community is largely comprised of adults over the age of 18 (93%), who speak English proficiently (74%), and are often highly-skilled or degreed; 26 percent hold undergraduate degrees, or a few points lower than the national average, and 10 percent hold graduate degrees, which is on par with the national average (Anderson, 2015a; 2015b; Anderson & Lopez, 2016; Capps, McCabe & Fix, Thomas, 2012). This segment of the population has seen a fivefold increase since 1980, Black immigrants are essentially erased from LIS discourse
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
