June 23, 2006: Immigration and American National Identity

Scholars Examine Latino Immigration and American National Identity

'Washington, DC--Latino immigrants to the U.S. are more diverse, successful, and assimilating more rapidly than is widely assumed in public debate, scholars observe in recent research published by the American Political Science Association (APSA). While immigration, assimilation, national identity, and relevant public policy questions are rightly being discussed today, the research finds that much of the concerns regarding Latino immigration are rooted in inaccurate assumptions, oversimplifications, and poor data.

These conclusions appear in a research symposium entitled "Immigration and National Identity," edited by Gary M. Segura (University of Washington), in the June issue of the Perspectives on Politics--a journal of the APSA.  The symposium is online at /section_682.cfm and is comprised of four articles which consider different aspects of the social and political incorporation of Latino immigrants in the U.S. "The fight...over who is an American, and what constitutes 'American-ness,' is and has been an ongoing one for virtually the entire history of the United States," observes Segura in the introduction.

In "Culture Clash? Contesting Notions of American Identity and the Effects of Latin American Immigration," Segura and Luis R. Fraga (Stanford University) examine immigration and national identity in the context of American political development. Tracing immigration fears to the pre-Declaration of Independence era, Segura and Fraga agree that Anglo-Protestant culture shaped American national identity but question whether ethno-religious and linguistic traditions are the most critical "binding ties of nationhood" or "the erosion of in the dominance of Anglo-Protestant culture is inherently destabilizing...." They point to other successful multicultural democracies while cautioning against overlooking the less laudable aspects of Anglo-Protestant dominance which have historically negatively affected socially subordinate groups. Noting the role of the capacity for change in the longevity of the American republic--rather than the maintenance of a static, idealized Anglo-Protestant identity--they advocate a broader and comprehensive reading of American history in the immigration debate....'

http://www.apsanet.org/content_30230.cfm

Rajaee, Bahram. "June 23, 2006: Immigration and American National Identity | APSA." The American Political Science Association. 23 June 2006. Web. 26 Apr. 2011. <http://www.apsanet.org/content_30230.cfm>.