Potential Immigrants Research Articles

Spatial and temporal characterization of Aedes albopictus oviposition activity in candidate urban settings for sterile insect technique testing in La Reunion Island

BackgroundUnderstanding of mosquito spatiotemporal dynamics is central to characterize candidate field sites for the sterile insect technique (SIT) testing, and is critical to the effective implementation and evaluation of pilot sterile male release programs. Here, we present a detailed description of Aedes albopictus (Skuse) egg-laying activity over a 6-year period in urban areas identified as potential SIT testing sites on Reunion Island.MethodWeekly entomological collections using ovitraps were carried out in residential and adjacent uninhabited habitats in two urban areas, Duparc and Bois Rouge, in the municipality of Sainte Marie, Reunion Island. Time-series data incorporating the frequency of positive ovitraps and the total number of eggs/ovitrap recorded each time at each locality during the study period from May 2013 to December 2018 were analyzed with multifaceted statistical approaches including descriptive statistics and spatiotemporal analyses incorporating the role of climatic factors on overall ovitrap productivity.ResultsDuring the ovitrap survey, the proportion of egg-positive ovitraps differed among study sites (χ2 = 50.21, df = 2, P < 0.001), being relatively lower in Duparc (89.5%) than in Bois-Rouges (95.3%) and the adjacent buffer zone (91.2%). Within each neighborhood, Ae. albopictus egg abundance varied by month in a roughly seasonal pattern marked by a single peak occurring more regularly February each year, a decline at the onset of the austral winter in July, followed by a period of lower ovitrap productivity in August and September. Fluctuation in both positivity rate and eggs densities per ovitraps were related to annual and seasonal variations in local temperature and rainfall (P < 0.001 in all cases). The spatial analysis also captured substantial between- and within-habitats heterogeneity, whereby the overall ovitrap productivity was higher in residential areas than in the buffer zone.ConclusionsCollectively, these results reveal that the distribution of Ae. albopictus oviposition activity is shaped by local habitat heterogeneity and seasonal climatic factors. Overall, this study provides baseline insights into the reproductive dynamics of Ae. albopictus, which would assist in planning locally tailored SIT interventions, while addressing concerns related to focal areas of high egg-laying intensity and potential immigration of females from natural areas.

J.E. JASPER’S LITERARY WORK ON EDUCATING THE MASSES OVERSEAS: INDO-EUROPEAN LITERATURE FROM COLONIAL JAVA IN THE NETHERLANDS 1904-1910

This paper aims to analyze with the historical method how literature from the Dutch East Indies written by an Indo-European, a person from mixed Asian and European ancestors, attempted to educate the Dutch overseas in Europe. The early 20th century saw several technological developments which raised interest in Asia in the Netherlands and caused a spike in immigrants in the Indies. The Dutch were interested in reading about life in their colonial holdings overseas, especially those who were contemplating making a trip to the Indies. Many writings emerged to teach, warn, or push potential immigrants who wished to go to the Indies. However, those were mainly written by Dutch people who had lived or were living in the Indies temporarily. Indo-European writers had different concerns and interests from the Dutch, which pushed them to also write literary works that were partly aimed at the Dutch overseas. They hoped their writings would help them understand life in Java and to prepare properly. J.E. Jasper, an Indo-European colonial official, was the most outspoken critic of his literature. His work, heavily influenced by the Ethical Policy while developing his thoughts reminded and taught the Dutch about what was important about life in the Indies.

African Jewish Communities in the Diaspora and the Homeland: The Case of South Africa

As part of this Special Issue devoted to research on the Jewish communities in Africa and their diaspora, we focus on the case of South African Jews who emigrated to Israel. First, we analyze the socio-religious and cultural context in which a Jewish diaspora developed and marked the ethno-religious identity of South African Jews both as individuals and as a collective. Second, we examine the role of ethno-religious identification as the main motive for migrating to Israel, and third, we show the role of ethno-religious identity in the integration of South African Jews into Israeli life. This study relies on data from a survey of South Africans and their descendants living in Israel in 2008, and in-depth interviews. The findings provide evidence for a strong Jewish community in South Africa that created a strong sense of belonging to the Jewish people and a strong attachment to Israel. As expected, two of the key reasons for the decision to move to Israel were ideology and religion. The immigrants wanted to live in a place where they could feel part of the majority that was culturally and religiously Jewish. Finally, ethno-religious identities (Jewish and Zionist) influenced not only the decision making of potential immigrants but also their process of integration into Israeli life.

U.S. Sanctuary Policies and Mexicans’ Migration Preferences: A Conjoint-Experimental Study

The debate on immigration policy and enforcement in the United States often revolves around the phenomenon of sanctuary cities. While past research accounts for Americans’ attitudes toward sanctuary cities and the effects of sanctuary policies on immigrant and Latino communities, less is known about how potential migrants factor sanctuary status into moving choices. We implement a conjoint survey experiment in Mexico, in which we ask respondents to rate the attractiveness of hypothetical localities in the United States described in terms of several attributes, including immigration enforcement policies. Results show that sanctuary status increases the attractiveness of potential immigration destinations in the United States. However, its effect is overshadowed by preferences for localities with many jobs and low crime rates, as well as ones that voted for Biden in 2020. Despite emphasis on sanctuary cities in U.S. political rhetoric, sanctuary policies only modestly increase the attractiveness of destinations for potential migrants.

Surviving limbo: critical career capital aspects for entrepreneur immigrants in an extreme context

PurposeThe present study explored the adjustment (i.e. survival vs stay) of a unique group of Turkish entrepreneur immigrants in the United Kingdom, whose initial experiences upon their move were disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020.Design/methodology/approachTen semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore this immigrant group's experience on the path to potential immigration success or failure as indicators of adjustment. The content of the interviews was analyzed via theoretical thematic analysis.FindingsKey career capital aspects hindering entrepreneurial effort under the unique conditions of Covid-19 were defined as not knowing how to start a business (in general, in the host country and under extreme conditions), why they should persist to stay, and whom to contact in the host country. Key facilitating career capital aspects were defined as knowing how to revise the business plans when needed and knowing why they left the home country, preferred the host country and should persist to stay there. Each unique aspect was mapped onto specific components of the context (home country, host country and profession) to add depth to the analyses.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the literature primarily by integrating career capital framework with different elements of the context. It also represents the first effort to adopt the framework to identify the critical career capital aspects of entrepreneur immigrants.

The Right to Exclude and the Duty to Include: Self-determination, Equal Opportunity, and Immigration

Abstract The immigration debate in political theory has produced a series of accounts that justify the state’s right to exclude potential immigrants, where the right of self-determination figures prominently. We challenge two prominent accounts of the self-determination-based right to exclude and defend a circumscribed right to exclude and a corollary duty to admit immigrants, based on our ‘people relationship goods’ account of self-determination. Our conception reconciles the moral claims of global opportunity migrants with the well-being and non-alienation interests of the locals. It therefore provides a principled answer to the philosophical question underlying pressing political conflicts today, namely what is the permissible scope of exclusion by self-determining political communities, in light of weighty global moral demands of inclusion.

The hidden majority/minority consensus: Minorities show similar preference patterns of immigrant support as the majority population.

The acceptance of new arrivals has become an important topic regarding the social cohesion of the receiving countries. However, previous studies focused only on the native population's drivers of attitudes towards immigrants, disregarding that immigrant-origin inhabitants now form a considerable part of the population. To test whether the drivers for the willingness to support immigrants are the same for natives and immigrants and their descendants, we rely on a vignette study conducted in a representative German online panel (N=3149) which contains an overrepresentation of immigrant-origin respondents. We presented participants with three vignettes of potential immigrants, varying, amongst other factors, economic prospects, safe and war-ridden countries of origin (to capture deservingness), as well as religious identity. While we find that minority members are generally slightly more welcoming towards immigrants than majority members, at their core are the same factors that drive attitudes to immigrants in both groups: economic cost, cultural similarity, and deservingness. However, we observe differences at the margins: Immigrant-origin respondents take into account economic prospects to a lesser degree than majority members do, and by trend, they are less likely to distinguish between immigrants from war-ridden and safe countries of origin. Furthermore, we can show that the preference for immigrants with the same religious identities not only occurs among majority members but also among minority members.

Characterizing eastern spruce budworm’s large-scale dispersal events through flight behavior and stable isotope analyses

Eastern spruce budworm moth (Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.)) mass outbreaks have widespread economic and ecological consequences. A key explanation for the large-scale spread and synchronization of these outbreaks is the long-distance dispersal (up to 450 km) of moths from hotspots (high-density populations) to lower-density areas. These events have proved difficult to monitor because dispersal flights occur only a few times a year, have no consistent routes, and commonly used tracking methods (e.g., population genetics, mark-recapture, radio telemetry) are inadequate for this system. Confirming immigration and distinguishing between local and immigrant individuals are crucial steps in identifying the physical and ecological drivers of moth dispersal. Here, we test whether isotopes of hydrogen (i.e., delta notation: δ2H) and strontium (i.e., strontium isotope ratios: 87Sr/86Sr), known to independently vary in space in a predictable manner, can be used to show that an immigration event occurred and to distinguish between local and immigrant adult spruce budworm moths. We used an automated pheromone trap system to collect individuals at six different sites in eastern Canada within and outside the current outbreak area of budworm moths. We first use moth flight behavior and time of capture, currently the best available tool, to determine putative local vs. immigrant status, and then evaluate whether individual 87Sr/86Sr and δ2H differ between putative classes. At two sites, we detect immigrant individuals that differ significantly from putative locals and thus confirm immigration has occurred. Saliently, sites where putative locals were sampled before the occurrence of potential immigration events (~10 days) showed the strongest differences between immigrant individuals’ and local 87Sr/86Sr and δ2H values. Sites where the collection of putative locals was close in time (hours) or following an immigration event (days) had a less-clear distinction between putative immigrants and locals, and showed signs of mixing between these two groups. We speculate that recent immigration could have led to the misclassification of immigrants as putative locals. 87Sr/86Sr and δ2H data generally support the adequacy of current approaches using capture-time to detect immigration events, and provide enhanced resolution to distinguish between local and immigrant individuals and to confirm an immigration event. We discuss the broader implication of adding isotopes to the toolkit to monitor spruce budworm dispersal and suggest next steps in implementing these tools.

The impact of immigrants’ characteristics on anti-immigrant sentiment among the Jewish majority and the Arab minority in Israel

ABSTRACT In the present research ‘factorial survey experiment’ method is applied to examine and compare the differential impact of immigrants’ characteristics on anti-immigrant sentiment among the majority and minority populations in Israel. Potential immigrants were described by six characteristics (gender, continent of birth, education, religion, level of religiosity and reason for migration) in a fractionalised sample of 252 vignettes (organised in 42 decks of 6 vignettes each). They were presented to two national representative samples of the Jewish (majority) and of the Arab (minority) populations in Israel. Respondents were asked to express attitudes toward admission and allocation of rights to hypothetical immigrants. The analysis reveals that Arabs are more supportive of immigrants than Jews, and that the most influential characteristic on formation of attitudes is immigrants’ religious origin, with Jews preferring Jewish immigrants but objecting non-Jews (especially Muslims) and Arabs favouring non-Jews (especially Muslims) immigrants. Discussion of the findings in light of theory leads to the conclusion that sentiments toward immigrants are shaped, first and foremost, by preferences regarding the ethnic and cultural homogeneity of society; much more than by threat of economic competition.

Social media discussion forums, home country and immigrant consumer acculturation: the case of Iranian immigrants in Australia

PurposeSocial media has transformed communication possibilities for immigrant consumers with their home country in their acculturation efforts. However, the acculturative outcomes of consumer interactions with the home country through social media are largely overlooked in previous research. This study aims to investigate the acculturative processes and outcomes resulting from interacting with the home country through social media.Design/methodology/approachA netnographic approach is used to collect data from a social media platform that provides an interactive social context in which Iranian immigrants in Australia share their experiences of immigration with non-immigrants who are considering and planning to migrate to Australia.FindingsFindings show how both immigrants and non-immigrant users via social media reflexively contribute to the formation of two competing collective narratives, namely, the dominant, romanticizing narrative and counter, pragmatic narratives. Findings highlight how notions of the home and host countries, and the idea of migrating from home to host, are constructed as the result of the circulation of the dominant and counter narratives. Further findings include how these two collective narratives come into play in the formation of three acculturative outcomes, namely, self-validating, ordinary experts and wellbeing. These insights extend consumer acculturation theory through highlighting the acculturative processes and outcomes of interactions with the home country via a social media platform. This includes, for example, how interacting with the home culture can take on assimilationist properties through the construction of a romanticized representation of the hosting society (i.e. Australia) in the dominant collective narrative.Practical implicationsImplications for ethnic marketing practice, policymakers and non-governmental organisations are advanced, especially regarding using social media as a channel to communicate with current and potential immigrant consumers. Notably, policymakers can use social media to engage with immigrants before and after migration to reduce the potential for cognitive dissonance in recent arrivals. Managerially, brands can advertise on Web-based forums, independent websites and social media platforms to target potential immigrants to sell relevant products immigrants needs after migrating to the host country.Social implicationsFindings broaden the understanding of the potential acculturative outcomes on social media by moving away from the traditional outcomes, which are restricted to the dichotomy between the home and host cultures.Originality/valueScholarly attention is deficient on the role of direct interaction with the home country in immigrant consumer acculturation, especially through social media, which is the focus of this study.

Legal Aspects of Using the Results of Genetic Testing to Prove Ethnicity in the Law Enforcement Practice of the State of Israel

This article discusses the legal aspects of applying the results of genetic testing for the purposes of determining ethnicity. Remarkable in this context is the experience of the State of Israel, where the results of genetic testing are legally used to identify potential immigrants as persons with or without Jewish origin. Apparently, this direction of development of legal regulation contributes to a rethinking of the provision of national legislation regarding the definition of Jewish origin, which was not previously tied to the results of DNA testing. The article analyzes the legal context for identifying potential immigrants as Jews, as well as the right to immigrate in the State of Israel and provides an overview of relevant legal practice. In conclusion, the author examines the key aspects of the influence of law enforcement practice in the field of the use of genetic information on the development of national legislation in this area.

Victim, perpetrator, neither: Attitudes on deservingness and culpability in immigration law

AbstractThis study examines whether there is popular support for a restrictive immigration policy aimed at denying safe haven to human rights abusers and those affiliated with terrorism. We designed a public opinion survey experiment that asks respondents to evaluate whether low level or high-level Taliban members who otherwise qualify for refugee status deserve immigration benefits. We found that a majority of respondents did not immediately deny a visa to low-level worker. Looking at respondents' explanations for their decision, we find two distinct clusters of reasons that we classify as either circumstantial–focused on the particularities of the case–or categorical–focused on general attributes of the applicant. We suggest that domestic and international criminal law logics about acts and intentions, as well as roles and responsibilities, are reflected in beliefs about deservingness in this distinct immigration context, and may support more generous attitudes toward those seeking refugee status. Many respondents using circumstantial reasoning saw a distinction between the jobs potential immigrants have done in their pasts and what they actually believe, underscoring the fraught dynamics of armed conflict in which people may be swept up in violence they do not support.

Der Arbeitsmarkt erlebt derzeit eine Zeitenwende

AbstractIncreasing labour shortages are mainly due to demographic developments — specifically the baby boom in Germany, with a strong peak in the early 1960s. Despite strong immigration in recent years, the ratio of 20–24 year-olds to 60–64 year-olds was only 75 to 100 in 2021, and if younger cohorts are taken into account, it was even less favourable. This demographic gap can only be closed by migration. However, the workers coming into the country should have qualifications that are compatible with the German labour market, which severely limits the group of potential immigrants. Therefore, previously inactive population groups must also be attracted to gainful employment and automation must be promoted.

The Practice and Legitimacy of Border Control

AbstractThis article interrogates the widely held, but rarely defended, view that states wield legitimate power over potential immigrants when and because they refrain from violating their human rights. I reconstruct a strong argument for this view, which turns on a claim about the limited power states claim over migrants. Drawing on recent empirical work, I show how this argument is inapplicable to the border regimes of a set of wealthy democracies. These regimes are characterized by a practice that is coordinated and extraterritorial in a way that undercuts the case for holding them to a minimal legitimacy standard. By participating in this practice, these states wield significant power over potential immigrants. I argue that this power exposes potential immigrants to novel risk, which in turn triggers a demand for the satisfaction of a higher standard of legitimation.

Rescue Missions in the Mediterranean and the Legitimacy of the EU’s Border Regime

In the last seven years, over twenty thousand people have died trying to reach Europe by crossing the Mediterranean Sea. Rescue missions by private actors and NGOs have increased because both national measures and measures by the EU’s border control agency, Frontex, are often deemed insufficient. However, such independent rescue missions face increasing persecution from national governments, Italy being one example. This raises the question of how potential migrants and dissenting citizens should act towards the EU border regime. In contrast to the literature, which mainly addresses migration on the basis of justice requirements, this article focuses on the legitimate authority of the EU’s border regime. Focusing on the legitimacy criteria for states’ claims to regulate migration opens a fruitful normative perspective, given the pervasive disagreement over the content of justice in migration. What reasons for compliance and non-interference does legitimacy supply for potential immigrants and dissenting citizens? And what legitimacy standard may be appropriate for the power that individual states claim over potential immigrants? We argue that, even assuming a minimal legitimacy standard for the state-migrant relationship, the structure of the EU’s border regime exhibits unique features, which cause it to stand in tension with such a standard. By coordinating its Member States’ border regimes, especially through Frontex, the EU claims and exercises power over potential immigrants. However, the asymmetrical delegation of state powers to the EU means that the power involved in regulating European borders is, in core respects, unaccountable. This unaccountability, we argue, is significant for the legitimacy of the EU’s border regime. This article sheds new light on the morality of unauthorised rescue missions by assessing the permissibility of resistance to the EU’s border regime.

“Not Good Enough for Canada”: Canadian Public Discourse around Issues of Inadmissibility for Potential Immigrants with Diseases and/or Disabilities, 1902–2002 by Valentina Capurri

<i>“Not Good Enough for Canada”: Canadian Public Discourse around Issues of Inadmissibility for Potential Immigrants with Diseases and/or Disabilities, 1902–2002</i> by Valentina Capurri

The Role of Plurilingual Pedagogy in Affirming Immigrants’ Identities in Canada

Background and Purpose: This perspective article supports the need of an alternative plurilingual model to teaching languages to assert immigrants’ identities in Canada. Approach: It examines the interplay between language and identity in immigration contexts, and investigates current language teaching models, including limitations, adopted in Canada. Although the article discusses the case of Quebec where the official language is French, it is not limited or restricted to a specific context. The case of Quebec is only given as an example to illustrate potential challenges immigrants might face in Canada. Results and Implication: This article sheds light on advantageous future research orientations pertaining to immigrants’ identities in the language learning process. It can also inform language policies and pedagogies in Canada and other immigration contexts.

Democracy After Virtueand the Circumstances of Modern Politics

<i>Democracy After Virtue</i>and the Circumstances of Modern Politics

English and French language ability and the employability of immigrants in Canada

PurposeBoth potential immigrants to Canada and policymakers in Canada continually compare and contrast the economic returns of immigrants' language ability and proficiency. They ask which of the two official languages has a higher economic return in terms of employment and earning. This study examines how ability and proficiency in Canada's two official languages, separately and/or jointly, influences immigrants' quick absorption into the labour market.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses all three waves of the Longitudinal Survey of Immigrants to Canada (LSIC) and employs logistic regression on the relationship between employability, language ability/proficiency and various non-linguistic factors.FindingsThe study reports that language ability in French is as valuable as language ability in English for immigrants who are aspiring to work, full-time or part-time, when they arrive in Canada. The advantages of language ability and proficiency continue a few years after an immigrant's arrival. Using disaggregated speaking, reading and writing competencies, the authors observe that speaking proficiency in English has a greater impact on employability than reading and writing in English.Originality/valueThere are very few studies looking at the effects of language ability and proficiency on the employability of immigrants in countries with multiple official languages. Most studies are mainly focused on earning and not employability. This study is focused on employability, particularly in the context of Canada. Furthermore, this study specifically disaggregates the impact of speaking, reading and writing competencies in both languages on employment in Canada.

Assessment of COVID-19–Related Immigration Concerns Among Latinx Immigrants in the US

Despite the contentious immigration environment and disproportionate rates of COVID-19 infection among Latinx individuals in the US, immigrants' concerns about engaging in COVID-19-related testing, treatment, and contact tracing have been largely unexplored. To examine the proportions of Latinx immigrants who endorse statements about the potential negative immigration ramifications of seeking and using COVID-19-related testing and treatment services and engaging in contact tracing. In this cross-sectional survey study, 25 COVID-19-related items were incorporated into the online Spanish-language survey of an ongoing study. Data were collected between July 15 and October 9, 2020, in Chicago, Illinois; Los Angeles, California; and Phoenix, Arizona. A nonrandom sample of 379 adult, Spanish-speaking, noncitizen Latinx immigrants (with either documented or undocumented immigration status) were sent surveys. Of those, 336 individuals (88.7% participation rate) returned surveys, and 43 individuals did not. An additional 213 individuals were screened but ineligible. Descriptive statistics were computed, and mean comparisons and bivariate correlations between sociodemographic variables, indices of immigration risk, and COVID-19-related survey items were conducted. Items elicited agreement or disagreement with statements about immigrants' access to COVID-19-related testing and treatment services and the potential immigration ramifications of using these services. Willingness to identify an undocumented person during contact tracing was also assessed. A total of 336 Latinx immigrants completed surveys. The mean (SD) age of participants was 39.7 (8.9) years; 210 participants (62.5%) identified as female, and 216 participants (64.3%) had undocumented immigration status. In total, 89 participants (26.5%) agreed that hospital emergency departments were the only source of COVID-19 testing or treatment for uninsured immigrants, and 106 participants (31.6%) agreed that using public testing and health care services for COVID-19 could jeopardize one's immigration prospects. A total of 96 participants (28.6%) and 114 participants (33.9%), respectively, would not identify an undocumented household member or coworker during contact tracing. Reluctance to identify an undocumented household member or coworker was associated with having had deportation experiences (r = -0.17; 95% CI, -0.06 to 0.27; P = .003) but not with the number of years lived in the US (r = 0.07; 95% CI, -0.16 to 0.17; P = .15) or immigration status (r = 0.03; 95% CI, -0.07 to 0.13; P = .56). In this cross-sectional survey study, a substantial number of immigrants endorsed statements about immigrants' restricted access to COVID-19-related testing and treatment services and the potential negative immigration ramifications of using these services. These results suggest that programs for COVID-19-related testing, contact tracing, and vaccine administration that are designed to allay immigration concerns are needed.