Several decades ago, most immigrants to the United States settled in a few urban areas in California, Texas, and Illinois. But that has changed in the past twenty years, as immigrants have spread out to build their lives in communities all over the country – including suburbs, smaller cities, and even rural towns. Mexican immigrants and their families account for many of the new arrivals living in what scholars call “new destination” communities, and the best estimates suggest that about one-third of people from Mexico live in communities outside of the original big three immigrant states. Are the Mexican immigrants who have settled in new places doing better than their counterparts who settled in traditional immigrant hub locations? more...
Immigrants
The Affordable Care Act of 2010 promises to extend health insurance coverage to tens of millions of uninsured people across the United States – but not to everyone. Non-citizens are among those most likely to lack health insurance coverage, yet large segments of the immigrant population have been excluded from the benefits of health reform – and may face greater barriers in the future than in the past. more...
As the debate over immigration reform heats up, a number of contentious issues are front and center – including competition over jobs, border security, and the very meaning of U.S. citizenship. Politicians and pundits have plenty to say about these topics, and no doubt there will also be fierce debates about which public benefits should be available to new citizens or people on a “path to citizenship.” At what point, if any, should formerly undocumented residents gain access to welfare benefits, unemployment insurance, or the new protections included in the recently enacted health reform law?
One important topic that may not get enough attention is how the basic health of immigrants themselves could be affected by reforms. Will reforms make it easier for all migrants to get timely and adequate health care, not just for sudden problems like injuries in an accident but also for chronic diseases? The answers matter not just for the wellbeing of newcomers themselves, but for the health and prosperity of all Americans, the neighbors and co-workers of immigrants. more...
The Affordable Care Act of 2010 promises to extend health insurance coverage to tens of millions of uninsured people across the United States – but not to everyone. Non-citizens are among those most likely to lack health insurance coverage, yet large segments of the immigrant population have been excluded from the benefits of health reform – and may face greater barriers in the future than in the past. more...
As the debate over immigration reform heats up, a number of contentious issues are front and center – including competition over jobs, border security, and the very meaning of U.S. citizenship. Politicians and pundits have plenty to say about these topics, and no doubt there will also be fierce debates about which public benefits should be available to new citizens or people on a “path to citizenship.” At what point, if any, should formerly undocumented residents gain access to welfare benefits, unemployment insurance, or the new protections included in the recently enacted health reform law?
One important topic that may not get enough attention is how the basic health of immigrants themselves could be affected by reforms. Will reforms make it easier for all migrants to get timely and adequate health care, not just for sudden problems like injuries in an accident but also for chronic diseases? The answers matter not just for the wellbeing of newcomers themselves, but for the health and prosperity of all Americans, the neighbors and co-workers of immigrants. more...
Research to Improve Policy: The Scholars Strategy Network seeks to improve public policy and strengthen democracy by organizing scholars working in America's colleges and universities. SSN's founding director is Theda Skocpol, Victor S. Thomas Professor of Government and Sociology at Harvard University.