The Dynamic Networks of Immigration Interest Groups

• In Event: A Contract in our Mutual Interest: Interest Group Collaboration Networks

Abstract

A growing body of literature has shown that various interest groups form coalitions to represent their interests on immigration and thereby influence immigration policy (e.g., Jacobson 2011; Facchinni et al 2010; Hanson 2009; Staham and Geddes 2006; Hatton and Williamson 2005). However, little is known about why they form coalitions and how they represent their aggregated stance on immigration policy. Using Supreme Court amicus curiae briefs data (Box-Steffensmeier and Christenson 2012), we explore the network of all interest groups that signed amicus briefs concerning immigration issues between 1947 and 2017. We investigate the network structure of immigration interest groups to understand which interest groups have coordinated their actions with whom and against whom, and how their stance on immigration has changed over time. Our work uncovers the landmark Supreme Court decisions on immigration that generated the most to least attention from interest groups as well as those that had lopsided versus balanced interest group support, and the consequences of these features for the Court. We then employ dynamic network models to examine the impact of exogenous covariates and network dependence on the formation and evolution of immigration networks. Our findings on the immigration network provide insight to understand coalition behavior of interest groups and the dynamics of representing immigration issues.

Authors

• Janet M. Box-Steffensmeier, Ohio State University

• Seulah Choi, Boston University

• Dino Pinterpe Christenson, Boston University