Comparative Analysis of the Role of Social Networks on the Incorporation of Latino Immigrants

• In Event: 566 - Section on Latino/a Sociology Roundtable Session (one-hour).
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 02. Immigrant Incorporation

Abstract

This paper investigates the influence of social networks on the incorporation of Latino immigrants in the cities of Boston, Los Angeles and Miami. It presents an overview of public policies relating to immigration in all three cities and, though the analysis of a unique database of semi-structured interviews conducted with Latino immigrants, this paper ascertains the impact of the differential role of social networks on the identity formation and subsequent incorporation of Latino immigrants.
The demographic changes of the American population and the rapid increase of the undocumented population of the United States since the 1990s have led to intense debates regarding the policies relative to undocumented immigrants. In this context, understanding the impact of public policies and social networks on the incorporation of Latino immigrants has become a critical issue. Although there is extensive research devoted to Latino immigrants, gaps in the literature remain regarding their incorporation into American society. In order to better understand how Latino immigrants adapt to the host society, this article offers a new approach by contrasting the influence of social networks on the incorporation of Latino immigrants in Boston, Los Angeles and Miami.
The data for this study was collected in 2012 as part of a larger project pertaining more broadly to relationships among different Latino immigrant groups. The data for this particular analysis consists of 214 semi-structured qualitative interviews of Latino immigrants in all three locations.

Author

• Marie Mallet, Harvard University