Alejandro Portes

Alejandro Portes

The main objective of this paper is to shed light on Segmented Assimilation theory in regards to immigrants in United States. This contribution deals with an adaptation process among three different immigrant groups in the United States

There are three main goals of this contribution:

1) to analyze (to describe and to explain) and, consequently, to compare different adaptation models among the given different migratory types (including immigrants economic activities, housing, interethnic and interethnic relations, cooperation with institutions and strategies of their probable future behavior) - ethnic emigrants versus asylum seekers versus labor migrants (regarding the labor migrants the analysis will also deal with differences among the individual ethnic groups -measured via citizenship),

2) to juxtapose the existing reality in the given field to some well-known theories/concepts like transnational spaces reality, the network theory, the institutional theory, the ethnic residential segregation concept and the like,

3) to assess a role of applied immigration/integration policies and practices (some policy recommendations as to how to improve the whole situation are formulated). (Durand 2001, Borderline Sanity)

The immigrant's adaptation has many various forms and differs depending on the given researched groups.

2) Emigrants represent the most successful immigrant group since a) their adaptation is heavily supported by the state and b) their Czech origin enables them to overcome adaptation difficulties much easier as compared to any other immigrant analyzed group.

3) Refugees also belong to a successful immigrant group (despite not having a common cultural background) because their adaptation is also supported by the state (e.g. the state integration program).

4) Labor migrants adaptation is the most problematic in this comparative perspective. Labor migrants are not specifically supported by any governmental program. Moreover, an important role is played by a factor like cultural distance (the more distant culture is the more problem within adaptation process one might expect).

5) Concerning the adaptation process of immigrants into a host society, different factors (variables) stand behind as to whether individual migratory types are successful or not

The results tell us that the immigrant's adaptation is typical of various forms and does differ according to the given researched groups. It has been shown, the group that adapts in the easiest way is emigrants/compatriots (typical assimilation). Upon their arrival in US they are usually granted the permanent residence soon (which is in many case also followed by obtain the United States citizenship). (Durand 2001, Borderline Sanity)

Moreover, they are close to the US culture and the language which they preserved and mastered thanks to their predecessors. More intensive bonds and relations with the mainstream society can be traced with refugees. Their legal position enables them the residence and rights similar to the US majority population. Moreover, as opposed to labor migrants. They are granted work permits and other advantages (e.g. language courses, accommodation) in relation to the government integration program. On the other hand, it is necessary to mention the specific nature of individual refugees, also conditioned by their different origin (religion and culture) and different approach to the offered ...