RSF grantees Dina Okamoto (Indiana University) and Kim Ebert (North Carolina State University) have co-authored a paper in the most recent issue of American Behavioral Scientist based on their RSF-supported research of immigrant inclusion in an increasingly diverse United States. In their study, Okamoto and Ebert analyze the interactions between immigrants and native-born residents in 52 metropolitan areas in the U.S. and investigate the social conditions that encourage locales to foster inclusionary environments for newcomers. The abstract of their paper states:

In multiethnic nation-states experiencing new flows of immigrants, political officials and citizens alike have expressed hostility in the form of demonstrations, campaigns, vandalism, and even policies. Yet local communities have also displayed public support for immigrants in the form of protests and advocacy efforts. Past literature has almost exclusively focused on anti-immigrant activity, using theories of group threat and competition, which suggest that new influxes or large concentrations of immigrants should prompt dominant groups to protect their interests, leading to anti-immigrant attitudes and behaviors. We extend the literature by focusing on pro-immigrant behavior, which we define as efforts initiated by established local residents and organizations to include immigrants in the larger community and/or to improve the lives of immigrants. In contrast to theories of group threat, we put forth the group inclusion model, and contend that demographic and political “threats” operate to break down rather than bolster group boundaries. We also find that when the increasing demographic and political presence of immigrants is coupled with the visibility of immigration, immigrant inclusion thrives. Using a data set of pro-immigrant collective action across 52 U.S. metropolitan areas, we generally find support for our model, and discuss the broader implications for immigrant–native relations.

Okamato is the author of the RSF book Redefining Race (2014) and an incoming Visiting Scholar. During her time in residence at the foundation, she will further explore immigrant-native relations by studying the perceptions and interactions of two native-born groups (blacks and whites) and two immigrant groups (Mexicans and Indians) to better understand how each group experiences contact, how varying contexts and differences in group status shape those contact experiences, and how these experiences can further understanding of patterns of intergroup trust and civic engagement.

Read the article in full from American Behavioral Scientist.