ENGAGING LEGAL PERMANENT RESIDENTS

Transcription

1 ENGAGING LEGAL PERMANENT RESIDENTS Blanca Flor Guillén-Woods Senior Analyst and Evaluation Specialist, Latino Decisions April 14, 2014

2 About the Research Part I: National survey N= 800 adult immigrants Self-identify as Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs) 400 Latino origin, 400 Asian origin Field dates: February 19-March 29, 2013 Part II: LPR focus groups Freemont, California (conducted in Hindi) Houston (conducted in Spanish) Los Angeles (conducted in Spanish) New York City (conducted in Mandarin) Highlights from Latino LPR responses focus of this presentation

3 Migration History Age at time of immigration Years lived in United States yrs 22% < 5 yrs 6% yrs 28% 5-9 yrs yrs 11% 27% yrs 21% yrs 30% <40 yrs Refused 12% 11% yrs 40+ yrs Refused 5% 7% 15%

4 Becoming a Legal Permanent Resident Year gained LPR status Gained LPR status by (category) % Family 60% Before % 19% 19% 35% Professional Refugee Other 14% 11% 14% Refused 6% DK/Ref 2%

5 Importance of American Citizenship Which statement do you agree with most? Becoming a U.S. citizen is a very important goal for legal immigrants 84% Citizenship is not that important if you have legal resident status 14% Neither/DK 2%

6 Importance of American Citizenship (percent agree citizenship very important goal) Gender Age cohort 86% 82% 86% 86% 86% 80% Latino Latina yrs yrs yrs 51+ yrs

7 Importance of American Citizenship (percent agree citizenship very important goal) Highest level of education completed English ability Grades % Not at all 83% Some high school H.S. graduate Some college 83% 86% 83% Not too well Somewhat well 84% 85% College graduate 88% Very well 83%

8 Barriers to Naturalization 31% Main reasons not yet applied for citizenship 21% 21% not yet eligible 6% started process 13% 10% 9% 6% 3% 1% 1% Limited English Cost No time Not ready for exam Don't think necessary Other Don't know how Home country ties Will apply later

9 Naturalization Barriers by Education 30% 27% 20% 20% 19% 13% 22% 18% 17% 15% 8% 9% 6% 4% 4% < HS/Some HS HS grad/some College College grad 11% 8% 5% Limited English Not Eligible Yet Cost No Time Not Needed Exam

10 Naturalization Costs and Possibilities Cost of citizenship application Preferred payment structure Too high 64% Half up front 45% Just about right 26% 12 equal payments 33% Too low 1% Family group rate 15% Don't know 9% Other/DK 7%

11 Naturalization Reasons First Set of Options Second Set of Options Right to vote 51% Better jobs and education 53% Reunite family 21% Fight discrimination 29% Increase opportunities 20% Not fear deportation 10% Eligible for govt services 5% Easier travel 5% Other 2% Other 5%

12 Naturalization Reasons by Education College grad HS grad/some college < High School Better job and economic opportunities 41% 64% 67% Fight discrimination against immigrants 19% 20% 37% No longer fear deportation 5% 9% 12%

13 Preparing for Citizenship Exam Have you taken or attended. Yes Couldn't attend Didn't know where Not Interested English class 62% 27% 3% 7% U.S. history or gov't class 46% 27% 15% 13% Skills training 34% 33% 18% 14% Naturalization info session 29% 44% 16% 12% Info session on U.S. govt 17% 32% 27% 22%

14 Citizenship Exam Preparation Would help you prepare for the citizenship exam? Practice Exams Support network to help prepare Access to Classes 91% 89% 88% Yes No 5% 7% 8% Study materials in English 76% 20% Access to study materials in Spanish 78% 17% Study materials online 68% 29%

15 Effective Naturalization Messages (percent responding very convincing ) Citizenship helps you provide greater opportunities for your children, like access to scholarships for school or college. Some law enforcement officials are harrassing and racially profiling immigrants. We must become citizens to put an end to discrimination against immigrants. Education 69% Discrimination 66% By becoming a citizen you can help reunite your family and keep them together. Reunification 65%

16 Effective Naturalization Messages (percent responding very convincing ) If you don't become a citizen and take part in democracy nothing will ever improve. With citizenship we can improve our communities Civic engagement 62% When you become a US citizen, you no longer have to fear deportation. Deportation 58% Citizenship allows you to vote and elect the political leaders that represent you. Vote 51%

17 Effective Naturalization Messages (percent responding very convincing ) Citizenship helps you have better economic opportunities. Economic 49% Many states are considering passing laws that discriminate against immigrants. Only by becoming citizens can you protect your community and family Policy Influence 43%

18 Most Convincing Naturalization Messages Education Discrimination Family Reunification Civic Engagement Deportation 69% 66% 65% 62% 58% Vote Economic Opportunity 51% 49% Influence policy 43%

19 Effective Messengers (Percent more likely to naturalize if citizenship drive endorsed by ) Personal and Professional Messengers Co-Ethnic Messengers Family or close friend 85% Latino teachers Latino doctors 89% 88% TV news anchors 84% Latino police/firefighters 86% Boss/Co-workers 83% Latino business owners 85% Religious leaders 79% Immigrant professional athletes 83% Labor unions 78% Latino elected officials Latino celebrities 82% 77%

20 Effective Family Messengers If your personally asked to you apply for citizenship, would that make you more/less likely to apply? Son/Daughter Spouse Niece/Nephew Mother Grandchild Father Grandfather Grandmother 50% 48% 64% 62% 72% 71% 75% 84%

21 Summary Vast majority of Latino LPRs (84%) believe becoming a U.S. citizen is a very important goal. The right to vote, better jobs and education, and fighting discrimination are the most important reasons for obtaining citizenship. Cost and limited English Skills are biggest barriers. Co-ethnic messengers and family are key to outreach.

22 Thank you!