Community Relations and Immigrant Integration Max J. Pfeffer and Pilar A. Parra Cornell University
Outline of Presentation Attitudes Toward Immigrants Community Interactions with Immigrants Social and Economic Impacts of Immigrants A Community Model of Immigrant Integration Conclusions Recommendations
Attitude Toward Immigration, Five New York Communities and New York State Source: Max J. Pfeffer and Pilar A. Parra, 2004 and Empire State Poll 2004, 2006, 2007, Cornell University
Perceptions of Immigrants and Community Source: Max J. Pfeffer and Pilar A. Parra, 2004, Cornell University
Do Immigrants Bring New Jobs and Businesses? Yes They are an asset, they buy homes, pay taxes, start businesses, all positive aspects of community life. This town was declining for the last 30 years and the new immigrant population has turned it around. [Deputy Chief, Police Department, Newburgh, NY] No... [immigrant workers] live in nearby towns, we have strict housing codes, houses cannot be divided for rent. That is why people do not live in town. Migrant workers finish farm work and migrate. [Mayor, Medina, NY]
Community Support of Immigrants Making sure they have jobs. They have to support themselves. They are welcome, but they have to support themselves. I would like to see the community help them attain skills to obtain higher-paying jobs as well as to help them learn English. To have jobs for them; from what I have seen, these people want to work and deserve to be treated better by the community. If they want to just come and get on welfare, then they can stay where they are; we don t need them. I do not see any need. They are capable of taking care of themselves. Revising the city ordinances. It is too difficult to build or rehabilitate homes for immigrants at a reasonable price. Housing. I do not believe they have enough housing. The houses they are putting up are sky high With the wages [immigrants earn], they are not affordable.
Proportion Who Think Their City or Township Should Provide Support to Immigrants, New York State Source: Max J. Pfeffer and Pilar A. Parra, Empire State Poll 2007, Cornell University
Community Members Helping Immigrants Source: Max J. Pfeffer and Pilar A. Parra, 2004, Cornell University
U.S. Born Who Personally Know Immigrants by Organizational Participation Source: Max J. Pfeffer and Pilar A. Parra, 2004, Cornell University
Opportunities for Civic Engagement Schools The school is open and welcoming to immigrant families. Two social workers and the receptionist know Spanish. The school has an open house with strong recruitment for immigrant families, and notices for parents are sent in Spanish. We have a big buddy program that matches older with newer students to facilitate integration; they sit together at lunch. A lot of Hispanic families participate in the Open House. [Elementary School Principal, Middletown, NY] Churches Churches have been helpful. Saint Joseph Church organized a conference to inform them about immigration services. [Director, Office of Economic Development, Middletown, NY] The church offers a Spanish mass and has fundraisers but church activities also are held separately, white mass, Hispanic mass etc. [Director, Business Improvement Association, Middletown, NY For me, churches do not necessarily present opportunities for relationships between groups, You know the most segregated time in this country? Sunday morning. [Staff, Rural Opportunities, Middletown, NY]
Perception of Immigrants as an Asset or Burden, New York State, 2007 Source: Max J. Pfeffer and Pilar A. Parra, Empire State Poll 2007, Cornell University
Assumption The more immigrants are integrated into the social and economic life of the community, the more positive the impacts on the community will be.
Human Capital and Immigrant Integration, Former Farmworkers Source: Max J. Pfeffer and Pilar A. Parra, 2004, Cornell University
Homeownership and Household Income by Community, Former Farmworkers Source: Max J. Pfeffer and Pilar A. Parra, 2004, Cornell University
Homeownership and Friendship With Nonimmigrants, Former Farmworkers Source: Max J. Pfeffer and Pilar A. Parra, 2004, Cornell University
Mean Household Income and Friendship With Non-immigrants, Former Farmworkers Source: Max J. Pfeffer and Pilar A. Parra, 2004, Cornell University
A Community Model of Immigrant Integration English Ability Economic Outcome Friendship ------ Civic Engagement
Conclusions English language ability is fundamental Clear impacts on social and economic success of immigrants Immigrants and communities will benefit from immigrant populations with high levels of English language ability The English language ability of the immigrant population is more significant than immigration status or education levels Civic engagement increases immigrant/nonimmigrant interactions Schools offer an especially effective arena for civic engagement
Recommendations Communities should assure that English language training is available to immigrants English language training should be integrated with efforts to introduce immigrants to other community members Communities should work through schools as the most effective institution for integrating immigrants into the social and economic life of the community