Obstacles to Latino Immigrant Assimilation in Oregon’s New Immigrant Destinations

Jose Padin, Principal Investigator
padinj@pdx.edu
503-725-8504

Sponsor: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) through Oregon Sea Grant

Community Partners: Lincoln City Chamber of Commerce, Newport Chamber of Commerce, Astoria Chamber of Commerce, Lincoln County School District, Clatsop County School District, Lincoln City Mayor and City Manager

This study has as its primary goal identifying obstacles to Latino immigrant assimilation in three coastal cities on Oregon’s central and northern coast.

Newport, Lincoln City, and Astoria—the cities included in the study—have experienced some of the highest rates of Latino immigration in Oregon over the past decade. These Pacific Coast communities are part of a large number of “new immigrant destinations” for Latinos across the country, from Oregon, to Maine, to Georgia. The obstacles faced by Latino immigrants in these new destinations put them at risk of becoming marginalized economically and socially, but they need not.

The purpose of this study is to provide a systematic analysis of economic and academic obstacles faced by Latin American newcomers, and to motivate policy and community initiatives aimed at removing these obstacles.

The study focuses on two generations and the challenges the face:

• Labor market challenges faced by adult Latino immigrants
• Academic challenges faced by the children of immigrants attending public schools (k-12)
• Family and inter-generational dynamics affecting both generations.

The study is built on a mixed methods design, combining focus groups, interviews, and random population surveys. Labor market, schooling, and family data are being collected from key populations: adult immigrant worker/parents, businesses, K-12 teachers and staff, and students.

Final reports will be discussed by community stakeholders during August and September 2006 and will be available to the public.