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Program on Immigration
and Democracy |
Proposed Policy Research Domains
The Program on Immigration and Democracy has identified the following research domains as potential areas of interest:
The Impact of Immigration on the Local and Regional Economy
The nature and impact of immigrant workforce participation in New Jersey’s economy are among the most important questions deserving of research attention. Most sectors of the economy, from high tech and pharmaceuticals to service and construction, have benefited from the presence of immigrants. Immigrants have also been heavily represented among the state’s entrepreneurs. Yet, immigrants, in particular undocumented immigrants, are also accused of depressing wage levels, stealing jobs from native-born Americans, and putting a severe strain on school and hospital budgets. Some call for a moratorium on immigration, reminiscent of the 1924 law that put an end to the large-scale immigration a century ago. Informing the public and policy makers about the past, present, and future role of immigration in New Jersey’s economy is an important objective.
Immigrant Workforce and Labor Issues
The growth of New Jersey’s immigrant population coincides with wrenching changes in the local economy. Throughout New Jersey and the country as a whole, labor law enforcement in low wage industries hiring large numbers of immigrants is in a state of crisis. The reasons are many: the decline of unionization, employer resistance to union organizing, the proliferation of small firms, misclassification of employees as independent contractors, the use of subcontractors to shield larger corporate entities from penalty or prosecution, worker fear of possible deportation, the involvement of human traffickers, lack of linguistic competence and cultural sensitivity on the part of oversight agency staff, and the growth of a large informal sector where wages are paid in cash and tax reporting is non-existent. As a result, employers often withhold wages, pay below minimum wage, violate overtime laws, fail to comply with health and safety regulations, and dismiss workers for organizing efforts. The Program on Immigration and Democracy may analyze this new labor environment and identify solutions for policy makers.
Language and Cultural Competence
One of the most important barriers facing the foreign-born arises out of their linguistic isolation and lack of familiarity with the new society. Here in New Jersey, twenty-six percent of the population (over 2 million people) speak a language other than English at home, and 11% (873,088 people) are classified as limited English proficient (LEP). Without targeted outreach efforts, language accommodations, specialized services, and attention to cultural norms, immigrants will be shut out from participation in many publicly and privately funded programs, or denied the quality of care, services, and protection they deserve. Throughout the country, new approaches and paradigms for achieving cultural and linguistic competence in the delivery of services are being introduced. Researchers are compiling best practices and developing criteria for measuring the effectiveness of different approaches. These innovations hold out the promise not only of reducing disparities in outcomes but also of achieving greater efficiency in how government meets the needs of a growing multicultural population. Through its work with state and local government, the Program on Immigration and Democracy may focus on language and cultural competence as a major policy goal.
Immigrant Education
Without educational opportunities for immigrants and their children, immigrant integration will prove elusive and millions will be consigned to a new “rainbow underclass.” Education must function to overcome the handicaps of language and economic disadvantage that impede the advancement of many immigrants. In the arena of adult education, issues include the adequacy and distribution of federal and state resources in support of ESL and citizenship education for immigrants, effective instructional strategies and approaches, integrating immigrants into the workforce investment system, and creating career paths for immigrant professionals. In the arena of Pre-K-12 education, issues include the extent of immigrant enrollment in pre-school programs, parental involvement in the education process, the availability and quality of ESL and bilingual programs, misclassification of students, and the utilization of alternative assessments for graduation. Working with our partners in the education field, the Program will support research in these areas and call attention to successful practices and approaches.
Immigrants and Local Government
Local governments are wrestling with a variety of challenges related to demographic and cultural changes in local communities stemming from immigration. Among these challenges are: community-building, outreach, economic development, education, civic participation, hiring practices, housing code violations, day laborers, gang activity, and police-community relations. These issues are seldom viewed from the lens of immigrant integration. The Program will conduct research on best practices in local communities and share its findings with local officials. In so doing, we seek to move away from a “problems” or “crisis” approach and to provide an “opportunity” agenda and strategy for local leaders. The goal will be to strengthen the bonds of community, improve community problem-solving, spur economic and cultural development, with immigrants as equal stakeholders and active participants in community life.
Immigrants and State Government
Throughout the United States, various structures have been created within state governments to coordinate and support an immigrant incorporation strategy. Sometimes, the goal is broadly stated, e.g. achieving cultural and linguistic competence in the delivery of government services. At other times, the goal is more narrowly focused, e.g. enabling immigrants to qualify for citizenship. Whatever the perspective, however, the challenge is to build the capacity of state government to effectively serve an increasingly diverse, multicultural population. A key issue will be an analysis of the pros and cons of “siloed” vs “horizontal” approaches and whether they represent alternative or complementary approaches. Another issue will be the extent to which an “ethnic lens” or a situational lens makes more sense as an organizational principle, or whether they can be combined in a synergistic way. Research in the form of evaluative frameworks for assessing the effectiveness of various approaches and a review of emerging best practices will shed important light on these issues.
Immigrant Civic Participation
The ability of immigrants to play an active and meaningful role in community life is crucial to the success of an immigrant integration agenda. Their participation in community problem-solving will lead to more effective solutions and programs. Their engagement in the political process will create both a momentum for change and a strengthening of the American democratic process. Their role, through community-based organizations, as partners in the delivery of services to their own communities will lead to more effective outreach and service designs. How can a real partnership be forged between government on all levels and members of newcomer communities? How can the pitfalls of partnership approaches be avoided? What can be done to train and nurture immigrant leaders? The Program hopes to be an active force in both researching these questions and in designing effective strategies and solutions.
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