From American Dream to Nightmare?: The Assimilation of Second-Generation Muslim Immigrants in the United States

• In Event: Immigration, Assimilation, and Crime

Abstract

In the aftermath of recent terrorist attacks in the United States, including those in San Bernardino and Orlando, there has been increased concern about the assimilation and possible radicalization of second-generation Muslim immigrants. Such fears have led President Trump and other politicians to call for a ban on Muslim immigrants, suggesting that this group is unwilling to assimilate because they are resistant to American values. Empirical evidence, however, tells a slightly different story. The present study analyzes data from 77 in-depth interviews with first-generation Arab immigrant parents (N=32) and their second-generation teenage children (N=45), who reside in an ethnic enclave community in the northeastern U.S. Interestingly, their comments and experiences reveal a more positive and hopeful American story than the one depicted by President Trump and public opinion polls. Specifically, participants did not see a conflict between preserving their cultural and religious practices and being an American, or part of American society. Further, they deeply believed that everyone can achieve educational, occupational, and socioeconomic success regardless of their religion, race, or ethnicity, indicating that the American Dream functions as a positive force of inclusion and integration for Muslim immigrants in the U.S.

Author

• Amarat Zaatut, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem