African Asylum Seekers in NYC: A Qualitative Analysis of Migration to the United States

• In Event: International Migration Section Refereed Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): 14. Drivers of migration

Abstract

Previous literature indicates that migration from the Global South to the US and Europe has been increasing at an exponential rate in the past decade. However, most research focuses on country-level migration patterns, and much literature on migration to the US includes quantitative analysis on migration patterns from Latin America. We are exploring the migration patterns of individuals from West, North and East Africa from a qualitative perspective. This paper includes interviews from 40 individuals from Senegal, Guinea, Mauritania, Chad, Egypt, Sudan and Morocco, who share their experiences on what led them to migrate from their home countries, details around their journey through multiple countries to reach the US, and their experiences acclimating in their new home country. Responses show that individuals from these countries face unique challenges that intersect race, ethnicity, religion, gender, language, culture and individual perspectives of resilience in a new country.

Authors

• Sauda Muhammad, CUNY-Graduate Center

• Heba Gowayed, CUNY-Hunter College

• Dialika Sall, CUNY-Lehman College

• Ethan Mayer-Rich, CUNY-Graduate Center