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Rising numbers of immigrants to the U.S. in recent decades have reignited concern about immigrant incorporation and the role of community-based organizations in facilitating this process. Common barriers to incorporation include difficulties securing basic services; navigating discrimination and harsh local policies; and, for some, addressing legal status issues that can exacerbate fears and vulnerabilities associated with seeking help. Local immigrant-serving organizations often ameliorate these barriers through service provision, or through advocacy work that secures and protects immigrant rights.
This study examines the development and influence of immigrant-serving providers in two immigrant new destinations: South Carolina and Maryland. In contrast to traditional immigrant gateways such as New York and Chicago, immigrant new destinations often lack social or community networks that provide critical support and security to new immigrants. They can also adopt harsh anti-immigrant laws that further discourage low-income immigrants from seeking help.
A growing literature examines the process of immigrant incorporation in new destinations, but few studies compare different regions or analyze the role of the nonprofit social service sector in these places. We aim to contribute to this literature by answering the following questions: What are the organizational features and availability of immigrant-serving organizations in new destination areas? How does the local political and economic context influence these providers and their ability to serve immigrants?
Methods
Our mixed-methods study draws on Internal Revenue Service (IRS) 990 data and in-depth interviews with immigrant-serving providers in Maryland and South Carolina. Using IRS 990 data, we provide a descriptive snapshot of immigrant-serving organizations in these two places, including key characteristics such as their size, age, and program profile. We then analyze data from in-depth interviews with a subsample of 79 of these providers, 50 in South Carolina and 29 in Maryland. Interviews with a purposive sample of social service organizations were conducted by the authors in 2014. Each interview lasted 30 – 45 minutes. All interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded using qualitative data analysis software. Analysis was guided by social ecological theory and consisted of defining broad dimensions and themes using a team-based approach of consensus building.
Results
Findings reveal that access to immigrant-serving providers in these two new destinations is severely constrained. Although many of the organizations are located near areas of immigrant concentration, some are not. Access to services is further hindered by limited funding, uneven availability of documentation in languages other than English, and relatively few bilingual/bicultural employees. However, qualitative data suggest that many are developing innovative programs and outreach methods to address these barriers.
Conclusions and Implications
The perspective of social service providers in identifying barriers to care has implications for how we understand the process of immigrant incorporation in new destination areas. We discuss implications for coalition building in the face of anti-immigrant sentiment. We also develop the term “inclusion catalysts” to describe the role of select providers. These organizations are intentionally sparking change among providers in their network, ultimately catalyzing the process by which local organizations lower barriers for immigrants to access services.