Characteristics Of Immigrants Research Articles

Motivation through solidarity

The aim of this study is to describe and discuss the unique motivational characteristics of adult immigrants and refugees learning Greek as a second language, characteristics related to the concept of investment in second language learning, based on the results of a qualitative study carried out in non-formal educational settings. Seventeen (17) participants attending Greek lessons in non-formal educational settings in Athens, Greece, were interviewed through semi-structured interviews. The data obtained was analysed using thematic analysis. The students were asked about the reasons they are learning Greek and what motivates them to invest in studying the language. The results of the thematic analysis show that the main motives driving the participants to invest in learning Greek in the research settings were threefold: instrumental, integrative, and related to the L2 learning environment. Learning Greek was considered as a chance that could lead to greater job opportunities, empowerment, and greater integration into the host society. Additionally, the results highlight the fact that the atmosphere in the specific educational settings being very friendly and relaxed was very important for the participants and enhanced their desire to invest in learning Greek in the specific settings. Finally, the social aspect was also significant for the immigrants and refugees, who considered participation in the classes as a means of greater socialisation with both locals and other immigrants. The study highlights that non-formal settings are better suited to migrants/refugees’ learning needs and can promote the social inclusion of vulnerable groups and their integration into the host society.

Neo‐Endogenous Local Development, Tourism, and International Immigration in El Hierro, Spain

AbstractThis article studies the role of international immigrants on enhancing economic and social diversity in El Hierro, potentially attracting more people, investment, and valorising local communities. It emphasizes the key characteristics of immigrants´ entrepreneurs, including their diverse backgrounds as lifestyle/labour immigrants, competence in languages, typically low initial capitalization and often lack of prior entrepreneurial experience. Despite initial limited professionalization, these entrepreneurs introduce innovations in services and products and cultivate social capital within the local community, particularly among other foreign‐born immigrants, and through transnational networks. This social capital is built upon personal relationships and mutual trust, promoting horizontal integration among businesses. These factors contribute to making the island a prime example of neo‐endogenous development in left‐behind areas. Yet, a high dependence on personal networks and local economic assets may affect negatively local development which needs more formalized and institutionalized support to create business environments for collaboration among stakeholders.

Una caracterización de los flujos migratorios hacia España y otros países de la Unión Europea

Rationale Spain has become one of the European countries with the highest inflows of immigrants relative to its population. This article compares the characteristics of immigrants to Spain with those to other European Union (EU) countries, by origin, gender, age, education and labour-market contribution. Takeaways •In Spain immigrants are mainly from Latin America and are a more homogeneous and culturally proximate group to the destination country than in other European countries. In general, they are older, have a higher educational attainment level and women account for a larger share. •Since the global financial crisis, the average age and the educational attainment level of immigrants in the four main EU countries has risen, doing so more sharply in Spain. •The participation rate of non-nationals residing in Spain is one of the highest in the EU and, unlike in other countries, it is higher than that of the nationals, meaning they contribute more to the increase in labour supply. •Non-national workers tend to be concentrated in activities that do not require a high level of education, although recently there are indications of a slight shift to higher-qualified sectors.

Cultural Dilemmas Beyond Borders: Xenocentric and Ethnocentric Explorations in Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Namesake

This research paper endeavours to examine the manifestations of xenocentric and ethnocentric behaviours exhibited by the immigrant characters within Jhumpa Lahiri’s diasporic narrative The Namesake (2003). It aims to meticulously scrutinize and analyse instances within the storyline where these characters demonstrate attitudes or actions that reflect either a preference for foreign culture (xenocentric behaviour) or a bias towards their own culture (ethnocentric behaviour) within the diasporic context. The paper seeks to delve deeper into these occurrences to understand their implications and significance in the characters' experiences and interactions within the diasporic setting portrayed in the novel. The novel brilliantly illustrates these contrasting attitudes within the diasporic context, portraying the tension between embracing a new culture and preserving one's heritage. The characters' interactions with each other and their surroundings depict the complexity of diasporic life, where clashes between differing cultural values often lead to moments of introspection and conflict. Lahiri intricately weaves these instances throughout the novel, showcasing how xenocentric and ethnocentric behaviours shape the characters' identity, choices, relationships, and sense of belonging in a foreign land.

Identity Formation and Acculturation in Smith’s White Teeth and Adichie’s Americanah: Critiquing the Immigrants’ Generational Experiences

This paper examines the relationship between identity formation and acculturation in Zadie Smith’s White Teeth and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Americanah by unpacking the behaviours and experiences of the first-generation immigrant characters Samad (White Teeth) and Ifemelu (Americanah), and the second-generation immigrant characters Millat (White Teeth) and Dike (Americanah). These two generations of immigrants represent two-fold aspects of acculturation process. For the first-generation immigrants, integration serves as a vital acculturation strategy. However, the second-generation immigrants experience an in-between condition because of their weaker ties to their home country and culture, coupled with the experiences of discrimination in their new cultural environment. To analyze these themes of acculturation within the novels, this study integrates John W. Berry's and David L. Sam's concepts of acculturation, acculturation strategies, and acculturation stress. Additionally, Stuart Hall's concept of cultural identity is borrowed to elucidate the notions of culture and identity within the narratives. Furthermore, Homi K. Bhabha’s notion of hybridity is employed to examine the in-between state of second-generation immigrants in the novels. By highlighting the connection between identity formation and acculturation in the novels, this study underscores the importance of understanding the complexities of identity formation and acculturation among immigrants across generations in diverse cultural contexts.

Integration of Afghan Immigrants in Iran: A Multi-Grounded Theory Study

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to gain a comprehensive understanding of the integration of Afghan immigrants in Iran. Employing a multi-grounded theory approach, data were collected through fieldwork involving 45 participants. The data underwent analysis using inductive coding, conceptual refinement, the construction of categorical structures, and theory condensation. The analysis yielded 21 categories, which were further organized into 6 overarching categories. These categories encompass conditions of origin, conditions of destination, political factors, social agency, immigrant characteristics, and structural and individual consequences. The findings of this research reveal that the integration of Afghan immigrants in Iran operates as an intricate integration ecosystem. In theories of integration, the significance of individual characteristics and the host society’s background as pivotal factors in immigrant integration is highlighted. In these theories, the interplay between immigrant characteristics and the host society’s context is also recognized as a crucial element in the integration process.

Religion, Geography, and Risky Sexual Behaviors Among International Immigrants Living in China: Cross-Sectional Study.

Behavioral differences exist between countries, regions, and religions. With rapid development in recent decades, an increasing number of international immigrants from different regions with different religions have settled in China. The degrees to which sexual behaviors-particularly risky sexual behaviors-differ by religion and geographical areas are not known. We aim to estimate the associations of religion and geographical areas with sexual behaviors of international immigrants and provide evidence for promoting the sexual health of international immigrants. A cross-sectional study was conducted via the internet with a snowball sampling method among international immigrants in China. In our study, risky sexual behaviors included having multiple sexual partners and engaging in unprotected sex. Descriptive analysis was used to analyze the basic characteristics of international immigrants as well as their sexual behaviors, religious affiliations, and geographical regions of origin. Multivariate binary logistic regression analyses with multiplicative and additive interactions were used to identify aspects of religion and geography that were associated with risky sexual behaviors among international immigrants. A total of 1433 international immigrants were included in the study. South Americans and nonreligious immigrants were more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors, and Asian and Buddhist immigrants were less likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors. The majority of the Muslims had sexually transmitted infection and HIV testing experiences; however, Muslims had a low willingness to do these tests in the future. The multivariate analysis showed that Muslim (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.453, 95% CI 0.228-0.897), Hindu (AOR 0.280, 95% CI 0.082-0.961), and Buddhist (AOR 0.097, 95% CI 0.012-0.811) immigrants were less likely to report engaging in unprotected sexual behaviors. Buddhist immigrants (AOR 0.292, 95% CI 0.086-0.990) were also less likely to have multiple sexual partners. With regard to geography, compared to Asians, South Americans (AOR 2.642, 95% CI 1.034-6.755), Europeans (AOR 2.310, 95% CI 1.022-5.221), and North Africans (AOR 3.524, 95% CI 1.104-11.248) had a higher probability of having multiple sexual partners. The rates of risky sexual behaviors among international immigrants living in China differed depending on their religions and geographical areas of origin. South Americans and nonreligious immigrants were more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors. It is necessary to promote measures, including HIV self-testing, pre-exposure prophylaxis implementation, and targeted sexual health education, among international immigrants in China.

El migrante como sujeto literario en dos novelas enmarcadas en la España vacía: "La forastera" (2020) y "Un hípster en la España vacía" (2020)

The soaring of a new literary generation situating pieces of works in the so-called empty Spain has given rise to a wide range of themes, among which migratory movements stand out. The novels La forastera (2020) by Olga Merino and Un hípster en la España vacía (2020) by Daniel Gascón, whose diegesis includes immigrant characters conceived in different ways, are the objects of this study. This article delves into the construction of the abovementioned characters through the theory on the rural migratory phenomenon and the literature on immigration in Spain. Moreover, it reflects on the use of the stereotype, which in the work of Merino is strengthened and in the work of Gascón is subverted.

Post-9/11 American Society and the Identity Negotiation of Muslim Characters in Ayad Akhtar’s Disgraced (2012)

This article studies the Negotiation of Muslim Identity in Ayad Akhtar’s Disgraced (2012) that Muslim characters practice after the 9/11 attacks in the USA. The paper, moreover, evaluates the Muslim characters encountering the backlash, discrimination, harassment, othering, religious profiling, media propaganda, and alienation despite their complete integration and assimilation into the hostland identity. To explore how the Muslim Immigrant characters, as members of the minority out-group(MO), adopt the strategies of identity negotiation and construct the reactive Muslim identity in the selected play in the post-9/11 American context, The Social Identity Theory by Tajfel and Turner (2004) is used as the theoretical model through the textual analysis and Close Reading Method. The paper, furthermore, aims to study the Muslim characters struggling with the identity crisis and the derogatory treatment from the majority in-group Americans (MI). It also adds to research on the selected play the comprehensive understanding to the readers about the identity negotiations and Muslim identity construct after the 9/11 attacks in America.

Xenophobia within the Immigrants in the Netflix’s Squid Game Series

The study aims to find out about the types of xenophobia, and its realization as well as the justification of that matter which appears in some scenes by the characters of Netflix’s the Squid Game series. The analysis used descriptive qualitative as a method to meet the objectives of the study. The source of the data in this study is taken from episodes 1 to 6 of the Squid Game series aired on Netflix. Xenophobia which mostly happened to the immigrants found in the series due to the existence of the two immigrant characters. To analyze the data, the theory of types of xenophobia which proposed by Harris (2002). The isolation hypothesis is the most dominant type found in the study due to feeling isolated in most of the scenes just because they are immigrants and they feel like they have no right to mingle with the natives.

Being “outdoors” in a new country: associations between immigrant characteristics, outdoor recreation activities, and settlement satisfaction in Canada

ABSTRACT Many immigrants in Canada experience rapid mental health deterioration as they integrate into their host country. Participation in outdoor recreation, and natural environments at large, have been suggested as a health-promoting activity that facilitates immigrants’ adaptation, fostering mental health and wellbeing. We used cross-sectional data from the Canadian General Social Survey 2016 (n = 15,876) to explore the associations between immigrant characteristics (i.e. status, length of settlement, and migration programme), participation in outdoor recreation activities, and settlement satisfaction (operationalised as satisfaction with life in Canada and with the local environment). Our findings suggest that immigrants engage in significantly fewer outdoor activities, and settlement satisfaction varies according to the length of settlement and immigration programmes (i.e. refugees, family reunification and economic immigrants). Participation in outdoor recreation activities was associated with significantly higher levels of settlement satisfaction. Participation in a broader range of outdoor activities moderated the association between immigrant characteristics and satisfaction with the local environment. Our findings have implications for recreation professionals and settlement agencies.

Latinx Immigrant Health: Does Immigrants’ Perceptions of Integration Protect their Health?

Restrictive immigration policies and enforcement practices are associated with poor health and mental health outcomes among Latinx immigrants. Over the last two decades, the state of California has enacted over 20 pro-integration immigration policies to protect and enhance the quality of life for immigrants. Accounting for the nested structure of immigration policy, this study examined the relationship between immigrants’ perceptions of integration and health. Participants originated primarily from Mexico ( N = 137). Hierarchical regression analysis was used to evaluate the contribution of variables in sequential blocks. While controlling for demographics, and immigration characteristics, we assessed the relationship between California immigration policy knowledge, perceived immigrant integration, threat of deportation, and two indicators of health—psychological distress and self-rated health. Perceived immigrant integration was associated with lower levels of psychological distress and better self-rated health. The threat of deportation was associated with a decline in self-rated health and higher levels of psychological distress. Policy advocacy and access to health care are needed to reduce the harmful effects of enforcement practices.

The tone of the president's immigration rhetoric

AbstractWe examine the tone of the president's immigration policy speeches as a function of the political context, policy characteristics, and individual presidents in two ways. First, we describe the tone of the president's immigration rhetoric using DICTION software and its five global categories of tone. Second, we hypothesize that commonality and optimism, two categories of tone expressive of immigration policy, will co‐vary by political context, policy characteristics of immigration, and a president's approach to rhetoric. To test our expectations, we collected presidential mentions of immigration since 1953 from the Public Papers of the Presidents. Key variables, like the president's honeymoon and the post‐9/11 era, increase a president's commonality tone, and the president's approval ratings encourage greater optimism. Individual presidents also shape presidential rhetoric, indicating the importance of presidential style to immigration tone, especially for optimism. We conclude with implications of our work for the systematic study of presidential tone and the prospects for comprehensive immigration reform.

Being l'Autre: French-Canadian immigrants in contemporary children's literature

PurposeImmigration-themed children’s literature can be an important resource in the classroom, especially because some U.S. immigrant groups, including French-Canadians, have received limited curricular representation. Using the qualitative method of critical content analysis, this study aims to examine depictions of French-Canadian immigrants to the United States in contemporary children’s books.Design/methodology/approachPostcolonialism is employed as an analytical lens with special attention given to the ways immigrant characters are constructed as different from the dominant group (i.e., othering), how dominant group values are imposed on immigrant characters, and how immigrant characters resist othering and domination. Three books comprise the sample: “Charlotte Bakeman Has Her Say” by Mary Finger and illustrated by Kimberly Batti, “Other Bells for Us to Ring” by Robert Cormier, and “Red River Girl” by Norma Sommerdorf.FindingsThe findings reveal multiple instances in which French-Canadian immigrants are constructed as Other and few instances in which these characters resist this positioning, and these books reflect the real ways French-Canadians were perceived as subalterns during the mass migration from Québec to the United States between the late 19th and early 20th centuries.Originality/valueThis study is significant because it examines portrayals of a substantial immigrant group that has been overlooked in the immigration history curriculum. This sample of children’s books may be used to teach children the complexities of immigration history and provide a more nuanced understanding of immigration during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Picaros and shapeshifters: the postcolonial picaresque style in GauZ’s Standing Heavy

I read GauZ’s Standing Heavy in connection with the postcolonial picaresque style, as GauZ’s Ivorian immigrant characters are robust survivors who see through the French system and criticize it through their anti-idealist viewpoints. This cynical view, often disclosed through roguish language, provides the author the possibility of expressing aggression toward the unfair system and highlighting the characters’ need to find their agency within its unequal structures. Meanwhile, the publisher’s marketing techniques and the author’s media appearances have contributed to the novel’s great success on the literary market; however, I argue that the novel’s success on the market should not diminish our understanding of its cultural criticism. Instead, the author himself may act as a shapeshifter in the competitive cultural marketplace, since his engagement in strategies of self-exotism exposes our sanctimonious need as readers to expect authenticity from African authors in Western contexts when they have to conform to Western codes.

라이프코스 관점으로 본 한국 고등교육 진학 성인이주민의 특성에 관한 연구

[Purpose] This study aims to understand the characteristics of adult immigrants who aspire to enter or have entered higher education institutions in South Korea from a lifecourse perspective.
 [Methods] Through an online survey, we collected data from 407 adult immigrants residing across the nation, seeking to explore the intricate interplay of pre-migration and post-migration factors that shape their educational aspiration and access to higher education.
 [Results] Our analysis revealed that pre-migration factors, such as prior education and job experiences, played a significant role, as did post-migration factors like participation in Korean language education programs. Additionally, we found that post-migration life conditions, such as current household income, marital status, and nationality significantly influenced adult immigrants' access to higher education.
 [Conclusion] These findings highlight the importance of understanding adult immigrants' educational aspirations or access within the broader context of their own lifecourse trajectory. By adopting a lifecourse perspective, we shed light on the multifaceted nature of the factors that influence adult immigrants' pursuit of higher education in South Korea.

The Influence of immigration on breastfeeding: Results from the FinChildren survey

Abstract Background Breastfeeding (BF) is essential to health promotion, disease prevention, and diminishing health inequalities. Recent studies in the Nordic countries revealed suboptimal BF practices among immigrants. Our aim is, first time in Finland, to quantitatively examine breastfeeding practices and sociodemographic characteristics of immigrants in comparison with natives. Methods We use a nationwide FinChildren (2020) survey on parents with infants, focusing on Somali- (n = 29), Arabic- (n = 81) and Russian speaking (n = 181) parents and their infants. We compared them with native Finnish speakers (n = 7508) using logistic regression and adjusting for confounders. Results Somali/Arab mothers had lower educational level, had higher BMI, were younger in age, and had more often C-sections. Proportions of both exclusive and any breastfeeding at 4-5 months were lower among Somali/Arabic speaking mothers (14% and 97%, respectively) compared to native Finnish (39% and 99%, respectively) and to Russian speaking mothers (41% and 98%, respectively). The difference in proportions of any BF between groups was not statistically significant. In the regression models fitted, being a Somali/Arabic speaking mother alone increased the odds of non-exclusive BF at 4-5 months fourfold (aOR 0.23, 95% CI 0.07, 0.72). Over 30% of Somali/Arab mothers had planned to mix feed their infants during antenatal period. This was inversely associated with exclusive BF at 4-5 months (aOR 0.14, 95% CI 0.11, 0.18) in the adjusted model. Conclusions Both exclusive and any BF were more common amongst native Finnish and Russian speaking mothers compared with Somali/Arabic speaking mothers. This study suggests the need for culturally sensitive interventions to promote BF amongst immigrants from outside Europe and to minimise any health inequality resulted from it. Key messages • This study found suboptimal breastfeeding practices amongst immigrant groups from outside Europe. Hence, it emphasizes the need for future research to further examine this pattern. • Results of the present study emphasize the need for culturally sensitive breastfeeding interventions to prevent health inequalities in early nutrition.

Ethnic differences in reading and mathematical test performance in primary schools in England

ObjectivesThis study investigates ethnic differences in Key Stage 2 (KS2) reading and mathematical test scores among primary school pupils in state schools in England between 2007 and 2018. The aim is to assess the performance across ethnic categories and examine its evolution over the course of the study period.
 MethodsThe analysis uses data from the National Pupil Database combining ethnicity information from school censuses with KS2 attainment data. KS2 reading and mathematical tests are taken by Year 6 pupils aged 10 to 11. Mean test scores are compared across ethnic categories, while the method of relative distribution is employed to evaluate performance in each ethnic category relative to the White British across the entire distribution of test scores in 2007 and 2018.
 ResultsBetween 2007 and 2018, the reading and maths test scores of British Bangladeshi, Black African, and Pakistani pupils improved relative to the White British group. In 2018, British Bangladeshi and Black African pupils performed at a similar or slightly higher level compared to their White British peers. The advantage in test scores in the two higher performing categories, British Indian and Chinese, further increased. Attainment in the other White category remained similar to the White British group. The test scores for the Black Caribbean and Mixed White and Black Caribbean categories tended to be concentrated in the lower part of the distribution. In 2018, the proportion of mixed and non-White pupils remained largely constant throughout the reading test score distribution, while in maths, a higher proportion of mixed and non-White pupils were found among high achievers compared to other parts of the distribution.
 ConclusionFrom 2007 to 2018, KS2 test performance improved relative to the White British group for some ethnic categories, while it did not for others. This paper proposes potential explanations for these differences, which are related to the volume and characteristics of immigration to England. Further empirical testing is required in future research to substantiate these explanations.

COVID-19 vaccine equity: a retrospective population-based cohort study examining primary series and first booster coverage among persons with a history of immigration and other residents of Ontario, Canada.

Immigrants were disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and experience unique vaccination barriers. In Canada (37 million people), 23% of the population is foreign-born. Immigrants constitute 60% of the country's racialized (non-white) population and over half of immigrants reside in Ontario, the country's most populous province. Ontario had several strategies aimed at improving vaccine equity including geographic targeting of vaccine supply and clinics, as well as numerous community-led efforts. Our objectives were to (1) compare primary series vaccine coverage after it was widely available, and first booster coverage 6 months after its availability, between immigrants and other Ontario residents and (2) identify subgroups experiencing low coverage. Using linked immigration and health administrative data, we conducted a retrospective population-based cohort study including all community-dwelling adults in Ontario, Canada as of January 1, 2021. We compared primary series (two-dose) vaccine coverage by September 2021, and first booster (three-dose) coverage by March 2022 among immigrants and other Ontarians, and across sociodemographic and immigration characteristics. We used multivariable log-binomial regression to estimate adjusted risk ratios (aRR). Of 11,844,221 adults, 22% were immigrants. By September 2021, 72.6% of immigrants received two doses (vs. 76.4%, other Ontarians) and by March 2022 46.1% received three doses (vs. 58.2%). Across characteristics, two-dose coverage was similar or slightly lower, while three-dose coverage was much lower, among immigrants compared to other Ontarians. Across neighborhood SARS-CoV-2 risk deciles, differences in two-dose coverage were smaller in higher risk deciles and larger in the lower risk deciles; with larger differences across all deciles for three-dose coverage. Compared to other Ontarians, immigrants from Central Africa had the lowest two-dose (aRR = 0.60 [95% CI 0.58-0.61]) and three-dose coverage (aRR = 0.36 [95% CI 0.34-0.37]) followed by Eastern Europeans and Caribbeans, while Southeast Asians were more likely to receive both doses. Compared to economic immigrants, resettled refugees and successful asylum-claimants had the lowest three-dose coverage (aRR = 0.68 [95% CI 0.68-0.68] and aRR = 0.78 [95% CI 0.77-0.78], respectively). Two dose coverage was more equitable than 3. Differences by immigrant region of birth were substantial. Community-engaged approaches should be re-invigorated to close gaps and promote the bivalent booster.

Changes in Perceptions of Border Security Influence Desired Levels of Immigration

Security concerns about immigration are on the rise. Many countries respond by fortifying their borders. Yet little is known about the influence of border security measures on perceived threat from immigration. Borders might facilitate group identities and spread fear of outsiders. In contrast, they might enhance citizens’ sense of security and control over immigration. We test these claims using survey experiments run on a quota sample of over 1000 Americans. The findings show that allocating more government resources to border security increases desired levels of immigration. This effect is likely driven by a sense of control over immigration, induced by border security measures even when the number or characteristics of immigrants remain unchanged. Our findings suggest that border controls, which are widely considered as symbols of closure and isolation, can increase public support for immigration.