The U.S. Immigration Policies, Immigrant Diversity & Belonging

Dr. Fatima Sattar, Assistant Professor of Sociology, Governors State University

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GSU Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging Lunch & Learn

Objectives

1. Provide a general overview of how the U.S. immigration system works

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• Identify key immigration policies that have shaped the demographic makeup of the American society

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• How do immigration policies & immigration impact our society and campus community?

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• How can service learning/volunteering/community participation help newer and established community members experience diversity, inclusion, belonging and intercultural understanding?

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• Geography Activity & Discussion about Immigration Diversity

Who is an immigrant?

Immigrants

• An individual living in a country they were not born in
• “Foreign-born”
• May/may not be citizens

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• Types:
1. Permanent (living/working in the U.S.) = Immigrants, refugees

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• Temporary (come to the U.S. to study/work/tour but plan on returning) = International students, workers, tourists

What percent of the U.S. population are immigrants (permanent)?

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~14%

Why or how do people immigrate to the U.S. (permanently)?

https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2022/01/11/key-facts-about-u-s-immigration-policies-and-bidens-proposed-changes/ft_2021-03-22_immigrationpolicies_02/

Key U.S. Immigration Policies:

• 1920s – National Origins Quota - Johnson-Reed
• 1965 – Immigration & Nationality Act - Hart-Cellar
• Prioritized ***Family Reunification****
• Significant increase in non-European immigrants
• Post 9-11 (2001)
• Department of Homeland Security established– Bush, 2003
• Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals – Obama, 2012
• Refugee/Muslim Ban – Trump, 2017
• Biden reversing restrictive policies
• e.g. increase in refugee admissions

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U.S. Policies & Political Discourse

• Shape perceptions of immigrants, social relations among natives & immigrants, and immigrants’ sense of belonging in America

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Service-learning & DEIB goals

How can service learning/volunteering/community participation help newer and established community members experience diversity, inclusion, belonging and intercultural understanding?

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Partnerships: local colleges/universities & immigrant organizations

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Example – Past Project:

World Relief Service Learning (Quad Cities)– Undergrads (in-person & virtually)

• American college students taught English & culture to refugee children & adults
• Newcomers taught students about their culture, food, traditions, & more

Student Reponses:

- Never know they knew so many languages; I would have never tried Congolese food; Their music sounds like music I like…

Challenges?

- How do you communicate with little/no understanding of English?

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In-progress

- Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights – GSU classroom experiences

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Origins of people in the U.S. reflect almost every country…

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Geography Quiz…

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Name that Country!

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What do you think these countries represent/reflect?

GSU Employees:

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• 80 international employees (with work permit/visa) of 1652 employees total (GSU OIRE data)

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• ~26 countries

GSU student body:

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• 786 international students from ~49 different countries of 5328 total students at GSU (GSU OIRE data)

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• Small % of ~ 1 million international students in the U.S.

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Questions & Discussion about �Immigrant Diversity

Do you know an immigrant? What have been your experiences with immigrants/learning from immigrants?

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What is your/your family’s, friend’s coworker’s, neighbor’s immigration story?

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Thank you!

• International Student & Employee Data, Office of Institutional Research & Effectiveness
• Dr. Joy Patterson & The DEI Council
• GSU Community