Immigrant Organizations Research Articles

The Documentation Status Continuum and the Impact of Categories on Healthcare Stratification

Public discourse on immigration and social services access has been contentious in immigrant-receiving countries. Scholars have examined immigrants’ marginalization as a form of civic stratification, where boundaries based on documentation status affect immigrants’ experiences and benefits granted by the state. This scholarship lacks a framework outlining existing documentation status categories and does not fully answer three research questions I pose in this article: (1) what is the alignment of documentation status categories relative to each other, (2) how does policy (re)configure those categories over time, and (3) how have documentation status categories shaped access to health care in the United States? This article answers those questions and argues that the documentation status continuum (DSC) framework fills these gaps. In the DSC, undocumented immigrants are at one end and citizens are at the other, with many documentation statuses in between. Public policy creates these statuses and generates stratification through allocating benefits based on one’s DSC position. Policy also shapes movement along the continuum, which shapes benefits eligibility. Using the 2006 Massachusetts Health Reform and national 2010 Affordable Care Act (ACA) Reform as policy examples and interviews conducted with 207 immigrants, healthcare professionals, and immigrant organization employees in Boston, this article demonstrates how healthcare access is stratified along the DSC between citizens and noncitizens. This has implications for various outcomes that social scientists examine amid increasing anti-immigrant sentiment in the US and beyond.

Abstract B002: Cancer health equity and research advocacy program among immigrant communities

Abstract Introduction: In an effort to ensure an all-inclusive initiative that would close the disparity gap among the immigrant communities in Florida, we developed a pilot project under the Inclusive Cancer Care Research Equity (iCCaRE) for Black Men Consortium with generous support from the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center (MCCCC). The objective is to train cancer advocates to engage their communities and develop and implement cancer prevention and screening navigation programs. The central hypothesis for this program is that community-driven cancer advocacy will significantly improve cancer awareness, knowledge, prevention, risk reduction, screening uptake, and early detection among Black immigrants. Methods: We collaborated with immigrant communities’ leaders to brainstorm on the current state of healthcare access and disparities experienced by Black immigrants and to set program and research priorities through listening sessions. Cancer advocates were trained to engage their communities to (1) develop and implement cancer risk reduction and education programs using train-the-trainer approach, (2) mobilize the resources within the community for cancer health promotion, prevention, and screening strategies, (3) partner with key stakeholders to accomplish targeted objectives; (4) raise funds to support advocacy activities; and (5) develop and successfully organize community-centered programs. Results: We are currently working with 10 Black immigrant organizations, including immigrant churches across different ethnicities, including Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Liberia, South Africa, Haiti, Jamaica, and across different cities in the United States. Eighteen community cancer advocates, including breast and prostate cancer survivors, caregivers, and community influencers, were trained to engage the immigrant communities in cancer risk reduction and research in Florida using multiple channels, including in-person community programs and online engagement approaches. We have engaged 720 immigrants in cancer risk reduction education and the need to participate in research during advocate-led in-person community outreaches. We currently have 26 immigrants who have volunteered in the Mayo Clinic Community Research Registry. The program is ongoing, and we anticipate that more than 750 will be engaged, and 100 will volunteer to be registered in the Mayo Clinic Community Research Registry. Conclusion: Advocate-led advocacy in immigrant communities will provide evidence for compelling arguments about the feasibility and availability of the Black immigrant population for robust and sustainable research and program engagements to eliminate disparity and advance cancer health equity. Citation Format: Opeyemi O. Bolajoko, Caleb Ramirez, Shannon Pressey, Noreen A. Stephenson, Vinessa A. Gordon, Binta Onyibe, Kingsley Efe, Austin Okaiwele, Mubo Oloruntobo, Brittany M. Norris, Folakemi T. Odedina. Cancer health equity and research advocacy program among immigrant communities [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr B002.

Placing the History of Jamaican Immigrant Organizations in Toronto, Canada

This article proposes a typology of Jamaican immigrant organizations in Toronto, Canada and examines the circumstances shaping the establishment of immigrant organizations with diverse orientations within this immigrant group. This analysis is informed by archival research that involved the examination of Caribbean newspapers including Th e Share, Contrast and The Islander that published articles about events and concerns particular to Caribbean communities in Toronto, Canada between 1960 and 2005.Information about the number and types of organizations established by Jamaican immigrants was obtained through a combination of internet research and information from the Consulate Generals Office of Jamaican in Toronto, Canada. The research shows that Jamaican immigrants have established more than 80 organizations of various types namely sociocultural, political, ethnic, alumni and special interest organizations. Additionally, the research asserts that there are ethno-specific and social spatial factors that contributed to the establishment of these organizations. Specifically, the desire to encourage sense of belonging in the place of residence through the celebration of events particular to their identity, increasing ethnic diversity within the group and changes in the availability of settlement assistance for immigrants in Toronto are factors that contributed to the establishment of diverse Jamaican immigrant organizations.

Network of Categories: A Method to Aggregate Egocentric Network Survey Data into a Whole Network Structure

We propose a new method for analyzing and visualizing information on a large collection of personal networks to uncover the socio-centric structure of relationships among aggregated actors that we clustered into categories. The network of categories identifies the links between groups of sampled ego actors sharing a given attribute (e.g., “being immigrant organizations”) and abstract attribute-based groups or types of alters (e.g., “any immigrant organization”). This method takes advantage of both whole networks and ego-centered networks analytical approaches since it gains insights into the context’s whole network structure while generalizing the results to a wider population. The method can be applied to data obtained through modified versions of instruments such as position or resource generators, which are easy to collect within standard large- N representative surveys. We present a concrete application of the method to the analysis of immigrant organizations' position in local governance networks in 40 French and German cities.

Polish Immigrant Organisations in The Republic of Ireland: Theri Present State and Scenarios for Theri Future Development

The presence of an extensive number of Polish immigrants in Ireland has a short history, which began after Poland’s accession to the EU. Therefore, the organizations that have been set up since 2004 were to a high degree built up with no or little impact of the existing tradition of immigrant structures and institutions. This makes Ireland a specific laboratory for testing a new model of immigrants’ organization of the 21st century. The article aims to describe the development of Polish immigrant organizations in Ireland and to present their characteristics, including their goals, activities, the role of new media and technology, as well as the patterns of participation and communication. The detailed presentation of these characteristics and case studies serves the goal of answering the question: if and to what extent “young” Polish immigrant organizations in Ireland can be seen as the forerunners of a new model of immigrants’ organization of the 21st century.

"They Don't Care If We Live or Die": A Qualitative Analysis Examining the US Immigration System's Treatment of Undocumented Communities during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Historically, the US immigration system (ie, institutions, agencies, and laws) has served the goals and principles of white supremacy through its treatment of globally displaced people and this appears to have continued through the COVID pandemic. Yet, the implications for immigrant health are not routinely addressed in mainstream public health discourse, and especially so in regard to public health disasters. This study conducted a series of focus groups with participants from social justice organizations working with immigrants, migrants, undocumented persons, refugees, persons seeking asylum, and persons detained in immigration jails to collect stories on how the immigration system undermined efforts to control the spread of COVID-19 and exacerbated health inequity within immigrant jails and across related community contexts during the pandemic. Focus groups were conducted to explore issues related to immigrants and immigration detention during the COVID-19 pandemic. There was a total of N=14 participants across the 4 focus groups with a dedicated focus group on perspectives of Black immigrants/from Black immigrant organizations only. Each focus group consisted of 3 to 4 participants. Five key themes emerged: 1) dehumanization of immigrants and migrants and devaluation of their lives; 2) inhumane conditions of confinement that propagate risk of disease; 3) denial of resources for COVID-19 prevention and mitigation; 4) expansion of intersecting oppressive systems; and 5) community-based resistance and mobilization against immigration policies and enforcement. Our findings highlight the harms from policing, criminalization, and exclusion that racialized communities face as a result of the (in)actions within the immigration system during a public health disaster including the COVID context.

The Trajectories That Remain to Be Told: Civic Participation, Immigrant Organizations, and Women’s Leadership in Portugal

This study focuses on migrant women and their civic participation in civil society organizations and/or immigrant associations. Despite women’s migration having a long global history and being of academic interest, extensive knowledge of this situation has increased substantially in recent decades; research on the civic participation of immigrant women in Portugal is still incipient. The structural conditions affecting these women’s mobility processes remain overlooked, concealing their vulnerabilities. Additionally, success stories of migrant women, which could serve as inspirations for others, are often invisible. This exploratory research examines the role of female immigrant leaders and the demands they face in facilitating immigrants’ integration into Portuguese society. Eight qualitative interviews were conducted with diverse immigrant organizations in Portugal, advocating for immigrant rights and promoting integration through various strategies. The results reveal that migrant women’s experiences and participation in leadership roles are shaped not only by their migrant background and their qualifications but also by the difficulties they encountered upon arrival in Portugal. These leaders tend to focus on constraints, particularly regarding the organization’s sustainability, rather than emphasizing opportunities for civic participation. Nevertheless, this study also reveals that participation in IOs leads to increased autonomy and a heightened sense of empowerment for these women. It grants them a voice, visibility, and recognition both in the host society and their own communities. Overall, the study sheds light on the significance of recognizing immigrant women’s contributions and challenges, as well as the crucial role played by immigrant organizations in promoting integration and advocating for immigrants’ rights in Portugal. It also emphasizes the need for the government to financially support these organizations.

The French paradox, or a bottom-up modification of integration policy. The republican model and Polish immigrant organisations in France

The French paradox, or a bottom-up modification of integration policy. The republican model and Polish immigrant organisations in France

The UK's ''Shortage of Occupation Scheme'': Advanced Stage of Neo-Colonialism on the Health System of Less Developed Countries: The Case of Nigeria

Purpose: As of May 2023, there is a chance that every day, about 50 Nigerians are convinced to get ready to move into the British healthcare system to fill the gap created by the demanding and expensive labour force of other European countries during the Brexit referendum of 2016. It is evidential that the exodus of this group of persons leaves a big gap in the healthcare sector of Nigeria and other countries with similar impact. To make things visible, this article will be elaborating on the neo-colonial approach taken by the British state to overcome the deficit in the labour force created after Brexit and how this hugely affects the countries providing the labour force, with our focus on Nigeria. The key terms to explored in this article are Neo-colonialism, Brexit and labour force. The article explains how the involvement of the British state in the Brexit referendum created a lacune in the job market and British state through neo-colonialism is using the workforce of the less developed countries to fill the gaps and rendering these countries vulnerable.
 Methodology: In order to ascertain the role of the British state in the collapse of the Nigerian healthcare system, a mixed method of both qualitative and quantitative information is collected from primary and secondary sources via current events, government policies, and existing academic publications as well as a visible and existing facts in the society. This is possible from the fact that the author is African from Cameroon, a neighbouring country to Nigeria where similar impacts of a destroyed healthcare system is felt. This is also facilitated by the fact that the author who is a foreign registered solicitor and a healthcare worker (healthcare assistant) in the UK is able to gather data through phone from some desirous Nigerians aiming towards migrating to the UK and also from those who have migrated through the shortage of occupation scheme from Nigeria and analysing same for the purpose of coming out with the outcome of this research.
 Findings: The article came out with its' findings that the neo-colonial control of the British state on less developed countries especially in the health sector, weakens and impoverishes these countries and give room for the countries to continue in a state of underdevelopment. That this is done through brain drain, brainwashing and other forms of exploitation.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Using Marxism to explain the concept of neo-colonialism in this publication further explores the concept and related concepts and would serve as an enhancement to the career of a legal practitioners and activists who practice in this fields. It would serve as an eye opener to the society which may not have seen this approach of Neo-colonialism as harmful. The research will also serve as a tool to Immigration Organizations, healthcare providers, Human Rights campaigners, and policy makers of Nigeria in the fight and restructuring instruments that are negatively affecting the lives of citizens and other vulnerable group of persons. Finally, the research may have a transferable impact, to countries with similar experiences.

The emergence of new immigrant organisations in the USA: collective engagement

ABSTRACT Immigrant organisations tend to engage with immigrant communities within a host country and their country of origin through various transnational activities. This study explores the emergence of immigrant organisations among new immigrant groups in the United States by shedding light on opportunity structure, group characteristics, and collective engagement. Empirically, this paper draws upon interviews of 33 Bangladeshi immigrant organisations in the United States. This paper reports that the intersection of opportunity structure and group characteristics creates a favourable environment for the emergence of immigrant organisations within a new immigrant group. This research suggests that local engagement is a process of adapting to a new environment while still holding onto the cultural norms and values of one’s home country, and transnational engagement improves the lives of the marginalised people in their country of origin.

Immigrant Organizations and Labor Market Integration: The Case of Sweden

In line with recent trends in sociology of migration, the paper presents major research findings on Swedish immigrant organizations (SIOs) and their labor market integration activities. Analyses of engagement in these activities are particularly important as Sweden wrestles with significant problems of labor market marginalization, particularly among non-European migrants. Drawing on official data and interviews, we find surprisingly low incidence in direct labor market support but quite active indirect support. Our regression model shows significant correlation between region of origin and labor market activities, and further analyses using regional typologies indicate that SIOs’ activities are partly driven by members’ different modes of incorporation and relative integration, where Middle-Eastern SIOs stand out as particularly active. Our findings further indicate potential for scale-up of SIO-assistance in the Swedish Government’s efforts towards increased immigrant labor market integration.

The Internal Functioning of Immigrant Organisations. The Case of Polish Voluntary Associations in France

The article presents the internal aspects of the social sub-system of non-profit and voluntary associations in France, whose members are people holding Polish and dual Polish-French citizenships as well as French people of Polish origin and who pursue the goals related to the presence of the Polish immigrant and post-immigrant communities in France. In relation with these organisations, the article provides answers to the following questions: 1) What are their decision-making structures? 2) How mobile are the members within the structures and where does the mobility stem from? 3) What is the cooperation like between the movers and shakers in a specific organisation? The conclusions have been based on data from five case studies and 48 individual in-depth interviews revolving around typologically diverse associations plus data obtained in the course of an institutional opinion poll, carried out among Polish immigrant organisations with an online CAWI questionnaire completed by members of the Polish diaspora in France.

Patterns of Cooperation and Non-Cooperation – the Case of Polish Immigrant Organisations in Germany

The article aims to investigate the cooperation patterns characteristic of Polish immigrant organisations in Germany. A situation analysis suggests a relatively broad collaborative network, with more than 100 Polish immigrant organisations in existence. However, the practice of the organisations’ functioning shows that, in fact, PIOs often function in a kind of organisational vacuum. They cannot nor do not want to cooperate with a large group of potential partners. In the article, we will also try to justify this state of affairs and find the barriers that limit the possibilities of cooperation of Polish immigrant organisations in Germany.

Challenges, Opportunities and Prospects for Immigrant Organizations in Supporting Integration of Minorities; the Case of Polish Organizations in Ireland

The aim of this article is to highlight barriers and opportunities faced by Polish organizations in Ireland in promoting pro-integrationist, as opposed to isolationist, tendencies among Poles. Despite noticeable integration trends, the majority of Poles prefer to remain within their circles, creating a so-called parallel society. Poles’ respect for their cultural values may partially explain the fact that they fall into social exclusion by creating typically Polish networks inside which their lives oscillate. Currently, a critical condition for receiving funds for organizational activities is the requirement to adopt a specific profile in accordance with the demands imposed by sponsors. Consequently, the strategic role of Polish diaspora organizations is to implement programs aimed at integrating Poles into Irish society and with other minorities. Such, the role of Polish organizations will change; they are likely to employ a more cosmopolitan and integrating character, rather than isolating themselves and will need to respond to the changing needs of Poles in Ireland.

Polish Immigrant Organisations in Italy within the Context of Invisibility

In Italy, there are a number of formal organisations established and run by Polish immigrants and their descendants. The paper gives a brief account of the associations’ characteristics and describes how their internal factors – particularly social and cultural capital – have been primary determinants of their condition. The impact of human resources is particularly pronounced, since the Polish organisations in Italy remain largely unseen, either from the perspective of the country of origin or the country of residence, as well as relations between them. The invisibility context in which they pursue their goals and activities is discussed. Also, the ramifications of invisibility as a concept are given careful consideration. The analysis is based on the findings of a study that was conducted in the years 2016–2020 within the framework of the ‘Polish Immigrant Organisations in Europe’ research project.

Polish Immigrant Organisations in the UK after 2004: Between Lack of Unity and Increased Recognition

This article discusses the changing structure, characteristics, and condition of Polish Immigrant Organisations (PIOs) in the United Kingdom, from Poland’s accession to the EU (2004) until the immediate aftermath of the Brexit vote (2017). It suggests that they are an important part of the rich tapestry of civil society actors dealing with migrants’ issues. It finds that the profound heterogenization of the landscape of Polish Immigrant Organisations can be attributed to a very diverse migrant community in terms of class, whose needs were not met by the hitherto existing organisations devoted to the symbolic affirmation of Polishness and in-group solidarity, chiefly along class lines. The resultant intergenerational tension between old and new migrants translated into the emergence of a new breed of migrant organisations that addressed the welfare needs of the underprivileged Polish migrants, especially on a local level, as well as their cultural belonging and social aspirations. The article is based on a 2-year multi-method study of migrant organisations across the United Kingdom that included surveys, interviews, and participant observation among civil society activists, experts, as well as civil servants. Słowa kluczowe: Polish Immigrant Organisations, Brexit, Civil Society, EU Migrat

Perspectives of Immigrants and Native Dutch on Antibiotic Use: A Qualitative Study.

Immigrants constitute large proportions of the population in many high-income countries. Knowledge about their perceptions of antibiotics, in comparison to native populations, is limited. We explored these perceptions by organizing nine homogeneous focus group discussions (FGDs) with first-generation immigrant and native Dutch participants (N = 64) from Rotterdam and Utrecht, who were recruited with the assistance of immigrant (community support) organizations. The FGDs were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Inductive thematic analyses were performed with the qualitative analysis software Atlas.ti, using open and axial coding. We did not find noteworthy differences between immigrants and native Dutch participants; all participants had an overall reluctant attitude towards antibiotics. Within-group differences were larger than between-group differences. In each FGD there were, for instance, participants who adopted an assertive stance in order to receive antibiotics, who had low antibiotic-related knowledge, or who used antibiotics incorrectly. Native Dutch participants expressed similar difficulties as immigrant participants in the communication with their GP, which mainly related to time constraints. Immigrants who encountered language barriers experienced even greater communicational difficulties and reported that they often feel embarrassed and refrain from asking questions. To stimulate more prudent use of antibiotics, more attention is needed for supportive multilingual patient materials. In addition, GPs need to adjust their information, guidance, and communication for the individual’s needs, regardless of the patient’s migration background.

The Migration-Development Nexus Revisited: Immigrant Organizations and the Swedish Policy Framework for Development and Humanitarian Assistance

ABSTRACT Within the migration-development nexus, cooperation with immigrant organizations is often considered useful by governments and aid agencies. Due to acquaintance with home-country conditions and capacity to transfer remittances, migrants are increasingly viewed as contributors to aid and development. The Swedish government has a similar approach and views migrants and their associations as an asset. At the same time, research on home-country activities among Swedish immigrant organizations (SIOs) is scarce and little is known about their contributions. Based on qualitative and quantitative data on publicly funded SIOs, we explore the alignment between their activities and the Swedish policy goals of humanitarian aid and development cooperation. While few activities align directly, other activities align indirectly since they mainly reflect sectoral targets of the policy goals. We also find few cases of formalized and systematic collaboration with Swedish aid financiers. In comparison with cooperation practices in other European contexts, this suggests deficits in terms of professionalization of SIOs, marginalization in development cooperation and lack of opportunity structures for SIOs. Few SIOs are also engaged in home-country development and humanitarian assistance. A possible explanation is the institutional role that immigrant organizations historically have been granted in the Swedish context. If these deficits are addressed, SIOs could potentially enhance the Swedish approach to aid and development assistance.

From Invisible to Structural Power to Address Immigrant Farmworkers’ Challenges Through New Assemblages in the U.S. Dairy Industry

Latinx immigrant workers on U.S. dairy farms experience multiple challenges. During recent decades, a myriad of stakeholders from the civil society and the food system have worked together to address struggles experienced by immigrant farmworkers and other marginalized groups. Meanwhile, assemblage and governance perspectives have gained the attention of scholars and practitioners addressing power relations and social challenges in the food system. Based on interviews with members of an immigrant organization in Vermont, this study examines how Latinx immigrant farmworkers and their allies created and leveraged opportunities to transform relations of power and address needs and problems through the creation of new assemblages. Results show how members of this organization were able to exercise and transform different forms of power. The construction of new social relationships and assemblages enabled Latinx immigrant farmworkers to transform invisible power into hidden and visible power, leading to structural changes, such as the creation of the first fair food program in the U.S. dairy industry.

Immigration enforcement exposures and COVID-19 vaccine intentions among undocumented immigrants in California

COVID-19 vaccines are effective in preventing COVID-19 infection, disease, and death. However, there is no data about vaccine intentions among the 10.7 million undocumented immigrants in the US. This study examined the associations between immigration enforcement exposure and vaccine intentions among undocumented immigrants in California. This community-engaged study partnered with immigrant organizations across California during the COVID-19 pandemic to recruit 366 study participants to an online survey regarding their attitudes about the COVID-19 vaccine and past exposure with the immigration enforcement system. Data collection occurred from September 2020 – February 2021 before the vaccine became available. Overall, 65% of study participants indicated that they would definitely get the vaccine were it to become available. In multivariable logistic regressions, an increase in immigration enforcement scores were associated with a 12% decrease in vaccine acceptance (aOR = 0.88, CI: 0.78–0.99). Additionally, undocumented women were 3.09 times more likely to report vaccine acceptance compared to undocumented men (CI: 1.79–5.35) and undocumented Asians were 57% less likely to report vaccine acceptance compared to undocumented Latinx immigrants (aOR = 0.43, CI: 0.21–0.88). Exposure to the immigration enforcement system may undermine public health efforts to prevent further transmission of COVID-19 by reducing acceptability of vaccines among immigrant populations.