Migration and InequalityMigration and Inequality

Urban Studies 101Urban Studies 101

The myth of immigrant assimilationThe myth of immigrant assimilation Assimilation means incorporation into mainstream Assimilation means incorporation into mainstream

American society and culture.American society and culture. The concept of immigrant assimilation is best The concept of immigrant assimilation is best

captured by the metaphor of the “melting pot.”captured by the metaphor of the “melting pot.” But the melting pot metaphor does not accurately But the melting pot metaphor does not accurately

capture immigrant experience, old or new.capture immigrant experience, old or new. Immigrants are rarely individuals who simply give up Immigrants are rarely individuals who simply give up

their countries of origin and its culture to settle in their countries of origin and its culture to settle in America.America.

Perhaps it is best to think of people who have just Perhaps it is best to think of people who have just arrived in the United States as “transnational arrived in the United States as “transnational migrants,” not immigrants.migrants,” not immigrants.

What is transnationalism?What is transnationalism?

Takes into consideration global economic realities Takes into consideration global economic realities (globalization) and global inequalities  (globalization) and global inequalities  

Migrants operate transnationally -- they participate in Migrants operate transnationally -- they participate in cultural, economic and political activity in connection cultural, economic and political activity in connection with countries of origin with countries of origin andand settlement. settlement.

The process by which migrants “forge and sustain The process by which migrants “forge and sustain multi-stranded social relations that link together their multi-stranded social relations that link together their societies of origin and settlement” (Basch et al. societies of origin and settlement” (Basch et al. 1994).1994).

Transnational LinksTransnational Links

Transmigrants, past and present, maintain links to Transmigrants, past and present, maintain links to their home societies at the same time that they their home societies at the same time that they established ties and connections to their new established ties and connections to their new societies.societies. Security: Migrants establish transnational links to Security: Migrants establish transnational links to

hedge their bets in times of economic and/or hedge their bets in times of economic and/or political insecurity in political insecurity in bothboth places. places.

Migrants buy property, work, send money to Migrants buy property, work, send money to family and invested money in both their countries family and invested money in both their countries of origin and settlement. of origin and settlement.

Involvement in Home CountryInvolvement in Home Country

Economic: Economic: Immigrant Remittances from the U.S. – Immigrant Remittances from the U.S. –

Countries like the DR, the Philippines, Countries like the DR, the Philippines, Haiti rely on this moneyHaiti rely on this money

Political:Political: Voting rights to dual citizens. This helps Voting rights to dual citizens. This helps

to maintain alliances with those who have to maintain alliances with those who have emigrated.emigrated.

Return MigrationReturn Migration

Many migrants plan to return to their countries of Many migrants plan to return to their countries of origin, in part due to:origin, in part due to: Economic insecurity and miserable working Economic insecurity and miserable working

conditions in America conditions in America E.G., 60% of Italians who came to the United E.G., 60% of Italians who came to the United

States at the end of the 19th century returned to States at the end of the 19th century returned to Italy. Italy.

Lack of acceptance in America (a.k.a racism) often Lack of acceptance in America (a.k.a racism) often stimulates a desire to return for many migrants.stimulates a desire to return for many migrants.

Why do some migrants stay?Why do some migrants stay?

Refugees and those who come because of Refugees and those who come because of religious or political persecution are sometimes religious or political persecution are sometimes the exception.the exception. E.G., Eastern European Jews who came at E.G., Eastern European Jews who came at

the end of the 19th century were persecuted the end of the 19th century were persecuted in Russia; in Russia;

Gay and lesbian migrants from some Latin Gay and lesbian migrants from some Latin American and African countries have been American and African countries have been granted political asylum in recent years.granted political asylum in recent years.

  Global Transnationalism Today:Global Transnationalism Today:

  While there are many continuities between migration While there are many continuities between migration in the past and present, there are also new aspects of in the past and present, there are also new aspects of transnationalism under globalization.transnationalism under globalization.

Globalized EconomyGlobalized Economy New transportation and communication New transportation and communication

technologies have made it easier for technologies have made it easier for immigrants to maintain transnational immigrants to maintain transnational interconnections. interconnections.

Global Economic IntegrationGlobal Economic Integration

More immigrants are involved in economic activities More immigrants are involved in economic activities that span national borders.that span national borders. Affluent, professional-class transmigrants run Affluent, professional-class transmigrants run

factories in countries of origin and settlement factories in countries of origin and settlement U.S. immigration laws have encouraged U.S. immigration laws have encouraged

immigration of people with more advanced immigration of people with more advanced educational and professional skills than in the past. educational and professional skills than in the past.

““Legal” vs. “Illegal” ImmigrantsLegal” vs. “Illegal” Immigrants

Legal ImmigrantLegal Immigrant People with family ties or who can buy their way into People with family ties or who can buy their way into

the country.the country. Because they are able to fit narrow INS policies that Because they are able to fit narrow INS policies that

require economic self-sufficiency before their right to require economic self-sufficiency before their right to immigration is granted); orimmigration is granted); or

Family members of earlier immigrants.Family members of earlier immigrants.

Undocumented Worker Undocumented Worker

Most undocumented immigrants are people who came Most undocumented immigrants are people who came this country legally but who allowed their paperwork this country legally but who allowed their paperwork to lapse.to lapse.

Others are unable to find work in their countries of Others are unable to find work in their countries of origin, so they take significant risks to cross borders origin, so they take significant risks to cross borders and seek employment in places where they have no and seek employment in places where they have no legal status. legal status.

Many Immigrants Today are Refugees of the Many Immigrants Today are Refugees of the Global Economy. Global Economy. Globalization forces people to Globalization forces people to migrate because of economic inequalities between migrate because of economic inequalities between countriescountries

Myth #1 about Undocumented WorkersMyth #1 about Undocumented Workers

They steal jobs from American workers. Actually, undocumented workers typically fill jobs Actually, undocumented workers typically fill jobs

that native born Americans refuse to take.that native born Americans refuse to take. Employers take advantage of powerless status of Employers take advantage of powerless status of

immigrants; their excuse to lower wages and immigrants; their excuse to lower wages and intimidate workers to prevent unionizing intimidate workers to prevent unionizing

These jobs become so undesirable that no one These jobs become so undesirable that no one else will accept themelse will accept them

Two-tiered Labor MarketTwo-tiered Labor Market Two tiers: undocumented immigrant workers Two tiers: undocumented immigrant workers

and U.S.-born workersand U.S.-born workers Undocumented workers are subjected to worse Undocumented workers are subjected to worse

working conditions and less pay, driving down working conditions and less pay, driving down labor standards for labor standards for everyoneeveryone

Caused by Caused by systematic exploitationsystematic exploitation by by employers; immigrants are not to blameemployers; immigrants are not to blame

Bolstering rights of immigrants in the Bolstering rights of immigrants in the workplace would increase labor standards workplace would increase labor standards and wages for all Americans! and wages for all Americans!

Immigrants actually bolster the Middle Class

The middle class relies on goods & services that The middle class relies on goods & services that immigrants produce—immigrants hold up the economy immigrants produce—immigrants hold up the economy

Immigrants contribute about $37 billion/year to the Immigrants contribute about $37 billion/year to the U.S. economyU.S. economy

Often start small businesses and attract investment Often start small businesses and attract investment capital from countries of origincapital from countries of origin

Eliminating the nation’s undocumented workforce Eliminating the nation’s undocumented workforce would result in the loss of an estimated $651 billion in would result in the loss of an estimated $651 billion in annual economic output and 8.1 million lost jobs (the annual economic output and 8.1 million lost jobs (the Perryman Group 2008).Perryman Group 2008).

Myth #2 about Undocumented WorkersMyth #2 about Undocumented WorkersThey come to America despite government and They come to America despite government and

corporate policies designed to discourage their corporate policies designed to discourage their admittance.admittance.

Many corporations rely on undocumented workers. Many corporations rely on undocumented workers. For example, agribusiness in California regularly For example, agribusiness in California regularly employs them in large numbers. employs them in large numbers.

Corporations regularly put pressure on the U.S. Corporations regularly put pressure on the U.S. government government not to impedenot to impede the flow of the flow of undocumented workers.undocumented workers.

Some corporations actively recruit people from Some corporations actively recruit people from other countries to work as undocumented laborers.other countries to work as undocumented laborers.

Myth #3 about Undocumented Myth #3 about Undocumented WorkersWorkers

U.S. immigration policy is designed to limit U.S. immigration policy is designed to limit illegal immigrationillegal immigration

Actually, the U.S. government has very Actually, the U.S. government has very contradictory policies towards undocumented contradictory policies towards undocumented workers. workers.

Most undocumented workers also pay social Most undocumented workers also pay social security taxes (approx. $7 billion/year) but security taxes (approx. $7 billion/year) but never receive the benefits.never receive the benefits.

Myth #4 about Undocumented Myth #4 about Undocumented WorkersWorkers

They don’t pay taxesThey don’t pay taxes Actually, at least 75% of undocumented Actually, at least 75% of undocumented

immigrants pay payroll taxes immigrants pay payroll taxes

Most undocumented workers also pay social Most undocumented workers also pay social security taxes (approx. $7 billion/year) but never security taxes (approx. $7 billion/year) but never receive the benefits.receive the benefits.

Undocumented immigrants pay more in taxes Undocumented immigrants pay more in taxes than the value of what they receive in than the value of what they receive in government services.government services.

Model Minority

Usually associated with Asians Has also historically been associated with

Jews, other immigrant groups

WHAT STEREOTYPES DO WE ASSOCIATE WITH THE MODEL MINORITY?

The Myth of the Model MinorityThe Myth of the Model Minority

A Racial or ethnic group that achieves A Racial or ethnic group that achieves upward mobility through upward mobility through hard work,hard work, perseverance, perseverance, delayed gratification, delayed gratification, the prioritization of education, andthe prioritization of education, and intra-ethnic cooperation—intra-ethnic cooperation—defined defined in opposition toin opposition to Black radicalism Black radicalism

History of the MythHistory of the Myth

The myth of the model minority was The myth of the model minority was popularized in the 1960s - 1980spopularized in the 1960s - 1980s

Backlash to the Civil Rights movement, Backlash to the Civil Rights movement, which resulted in policies that increased which resulted in policies that increased welfare programs & implemented welfare programs & implemented affirmative actionaffirmative action

Flipside of Asians as “Model Minority:”Flipside of Asians as “Model Minority:”

Vietnam War 1955-1975 Racial slurs: “Gook”—term to describe

Vietnamese, Koreans, Chinese

1800s to 1940s “Yellow Peril” Asia threatens Western dominance, thus

Asians should be feared

Model Minority Used to Maintain Model Minority Used to Maintain Racial Hierarchy and Support the Racial Hierarchy and Support the

Idea that Racism is IrrelevantIdea that Racism is Irrelevant

Anti-black racism major part of U.S. history

Model Minority Myth: Asians (and Jews, etc.) made it—therefore racism no longer relevant Creates a wedge between people of color Promotes idea that people of color shouldn’t fight

racism

Racial Triangulation

TriangulationTriangulation

Racial triangulation occurs with most immigrant groups, Racial triangulation occurs with most immigrant groups, and with Native Americans and with Native Americans (Concept from Claire (Concept from Claire

Jean Kim's piece on Asian Americans).Jean Kim's piece on Asian Americans).     In racial hierarchies, white people on the top and black In racial hierarchies, white people on the top and black

people on the bottom but both groups are considered people on the bottom but both groups are considered "insiders.""insiders."    

Asians, Jews, and other immigrants, on the other hand, Asians, Jews, and other immigrants, on the other hand, fall somewhere in the middle of the hierarchy but are fall somewhere in the middle of the hierarchy but are considered "outsiders," hence, they're racially considered "outsiders," hence, they're racially triangulated.triangulated.

The Model Minority Myth Is Not TrueThe Model Minority Myth Is Not True

Class divisions in Asian communities—Tenants in Class divisions in Asian communities—Tenants in Chinatown and Southeast Asian refugees in the Bronx Chinatown and Southeast Asian refugees in the Bronx are very poor, for example. are very poor, for example.

Asian immigrants tend to live in east and west coast Asian immigrants tend to live in east and west coast citiescities

Higher incomes and higher expenses. Higher incomes and higher expenses. Don’t have better living conditions than other immigrantsDon’t have better living conditions than other immigrants

Racism still an issue Racism still an issue

Language barriersLanguage barriers

Migrant Workers –Migrant Workers –Personal Prejudice AND Personal Prejudice AND

Institutional/Structural RacismInstitutional/Structural Racism Immigrants work in Immigrants work in low wage service sector low wage service sector

jobsjobs, e.g. food service and domestic work, e.g. food service and domestic work Low wage work keep products and services cheapLow wage work keep products and services cheap

Prejudices: Prejudices: They "belong" in these jobs—we don’t question They "belong" in these jobs—we don’t question

WHY immigrants came here in the first placeWHY immigrants came here in the first place Myth that immigrants take away jobs  Myth that immigrants take away jobs  

Institutional RacismInstitutional Racism

ARIZONA CASEARIZONA CASE Arizona SB 1070Arizona SB 1070 passed by Gov Jan Brewer

on April 23, 2010 Strictest Anti-Immigration law in generations

Made it legal for any cop to ask a person for immigration documents

Crime to not carry documents Has been criticized as legalized racial profiling,

especially of Mexican and Latino migrants

DREAM ActDREAM Act

Law would allow immigrant students to eventually become U.S. citizens after

Graduating from U.S. high school Living in the U.S. for five years Completing two years in college

Neoliberalism: Global System Neoliberalism: Global System Promoting MigrationPromoting Migration

Economic policiesEconomic policies – started in late 1970s/1980 – started in late 1970s/1980 promoting free marketspromoting free markets

Rights of companiesRights of companies valued over valued over rights of peoplerights of people

PrivatizationPrivatization - economic development and - economic development and competition competition

Global capitalism - Global capitalism - Reduced barriers between Reduced barriers between countries to move capitalcountries to move capital

Economic developmentEconomic development valued over valued over democracydemocracy Majority rule threatens markets, e.g. organizing by workersMajority rule threatens markets, e.g. organizing by workers

Main Points of Neoliberalism:Main Points of Neoliberalism:

RULE OF THE MARKETRULE OF THE MARKET CUTTING PUBLIC EXPENDITURES CUTTING PUBLIC EXPENDITURES

FOR SOCIAL SERVICESFOR SOCIAL SERVICES DEREGULATIONDEREGULATION PRIVATIZATIONPRIVATIZATION