Immigration Articles of the Day: Studies of Naturalization

July 7, 2017

Tu Casa, Mi Casa: Naturalization and Belonging among Latino Immigrants

Previous studies reach contradictory conclusions regarding the relationship between naturalization and immigrant concentration. Some studies find that immigrants are more likely to naturalize when they live among immigrants, and others find the opposite. This study departs from earlier research by exploring how immigrant communities influence the rates of naturalization for individual immigrants through a case study of Latino immigrants in the United States. Results of this study indicate that the county-level concentration of naturalized Latino immigrants positively predicts individual naturalization. This relationship operates through two channels: information dissemination and a sense of belonging. In particular, Latino immigrants who live among naturalized Latino immigrants identify more strongly as “American,” and the strength of this identification plays a key role in why Latino immigrants living among naturalized immigrants themselves seek naturalization. To read more, visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/imre.12221/full.

The Political Effects of Immigrant Naturalization by Alex Street, Carroll College

Immigration is transforming the societies of Europe and North America. Yet the political implications of these changes remain unclear. In particular, we lack credible evidence on whether, and how, becoming a citizen prompts immigrants to engage with the political system. This paper uses longitudinal data from Germany to test theories of citizenship and immigrant politics. It finds that naturalization can promote political integration, but that this is more likely if new citizens have the chance to pick up habits of political engagement during the formative years of early adulthood. To read more, visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/imre.12229/full.

Posted in:

Current Affairs