HSS: Transnationalism and Immigrant Adaptation

Sociological studies of immigration have traditionally focused on the assimilation of immigrants to host society. Past studies emphasized the processes of immigrant adaptation through language acquisition, socioeconomic mobility, and marriage with native-born population. In general, most empirical research shows increased levels of assimilation as immigrants adapt to the host society across generations. A logical corollary of assimilation research is that contacts with one's country of origin would decline over time as immigrants settle and adapt to host society. This view is challenged, however, by the emerging literature of transnationalism, which posits that continued involvement with the country of origin is a common pattern among immigrants. A recent study in the United States, for example, finds that transnational engagement among Latino immigrants is associated with higher human capital resources, such as higher education, higher occupational status, and longer length of stay in the U.S. This new line of research presents an interesting puzzle: is engagement with the country of origin really at odds with assimilation to host society?

In this presentation, I will first present the conceptual framework that incorporates several conflicting hypotheses regarding the relationship between assimilation and transnationalism. Second, I will show empirical results from the Asian-American sample of the National Latino and Asian American Survey (NLAAS 2002-2003). The analyses on the first-generation Asian Americans indicate that 1) immigrants' engagement with the country of origin is not at odds with their adaptation to American society, 2) coming to the U.S. as a child significantly reduces the propensity of engaging in transnational activities, and 3) the country of origin is a significant predictor of transnationalism. Implications for Asian societies will be also discussed.