Community Response to Immigrants in New Destinations
11
Community Response to Immigrants in New Destinations Max J. Pfeffer and Pilar A. Parra Cornell University May 9, 2008 Washington, D.C. Conference on Immigration, Agriculture and Communities
Transcript of Community Response to Immigrants in New Destinations
Community Response to Immigrants in
New Destinations
Max J. Pfeffer and Pilar A. Parra
Cornell University
May 9, 2008
Washington, D.C.
Conference on
Immigration, Agriculture and Communities
States Enacting Immigration Related Legislation in
2007 (N=46)
Source: National Conference of State Legislatures 2008
State Immigration-Related Legislation, 2007
Bills Introduced
0 100 200 300
ID/Driver's Licenses
Employment
Law Enforcement
Resolutions
Public Benefits
Health
Education
Human Trafficking
Voting
Omnibus
Legal Services
Misc.
Number
Bills Introduced States
Laws Enacted
0 20 40 60
ID/Driver's Licenses
Employment
Law Enforcement
Resolutions
Public Benefits
Health
Education
Human Trafficking
Voting
Omnibus
Legal Services
Misc.
Number
Laws Enacted States
Source: National Conference of State Legislatures 2008
Proposed Ordinances Specifically Regulating
Immigrants or Relations with Immigrants Since 2006
--28English as Official Language
--9Restrictions on Day Labor
--31Sanctions Against Landlords
Ordinance
23145Total
187Other
525Police Support Immigration Authorities
--45Employer Sanctions
SupportiveRestrictive
Content of Ordinance
Source: Web Search by Pilar A. Parra and Michelle Leveillee, April 2008
Proposed Ordinances Specifically Regulating
Immigrants or Relations with Immigrants Since 2006 by
Region
22145Total
527West
556South
921North Central
341Northeast
SupportiveRestrictive
OrdinanceRegion
Source: Web Search by Pilar A. Parra and Michelle Leveillee, April 2008
Support of Local Assistance for Immigrants,
New York State, 2007 and 2008
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Pe
rce
nt
2007 All
Immigrants
2008 All
Immigrants
2008 Illegal
Immigrants
Affordable Housing
Not at all important Somewhat unimportant
Neutral Somewhat important
Very important
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Pe
rce
nt
2007 All
Immigrants
2008 All
Immigrants
2008 Illegal
Immigrants
English Language Training
Not at all important Somewhat unimportant
Neutral Somewhat important
Very important
Source: Empire State Poll, Cornell University 2007, 2008
Support for Local Housing Assistance for
Immigrants, Downstate, Upstate and Rural New York
State, 2008
0
10
20
30
40
50
Pe
rce
nt
Downstate Upstate Upstate
Rural
All Immigrants
Not at all important Somewhat unimportant
Neutral Somewhat important
Very important
0
10
20
30
40
50
Pe
rce
nt
Downstate Upstate Upstate
Rural
Illegal Immigrants
Not at all important Somewhat unimportant
Neutral Somewhat important
Very important
Source: Empire State Poll, Cornell University 2008
Support for Local English Language Training for
Immigrants, Downstate, Upstate and Rural New York
State, 2008
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Pe
rce
nt
Downstate Upstate Upstate
Rural
All Immigrants
Not at all important Somewhat unimportant
Neutral Somewhat important
Very important
0
10
20
30
40
50
Pe
rce
nt
Downstate Upstate Upstate
Rural
Illegal Immigrants
Not at all important Somewhat unimportant
Neutral Somewhat important
Very important
Source: Empire State Poll, Cornell University 2008
A Strategic Question
What should be done?
A Community Model of Immigrant
Integration
English Ability !!!! Social and Economic
" Success
"
"
Friendship !------" Civic Engagement
What can be done?
! Nongovernmental civic organizations,
employers and schools can support English
language training for immigrants
! English language training should be
integrated with efforts to introduce
immigrants to other community members
