Discussion post ImmigrationImmigration and assimilation

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 Introduction

Assimilation is how ethnic stock in society adopts and embraces the society's

dominant culture. Asian and Latino Immigration are two main and essential immigration

types in the United States. Specific parameters must be considered to comprehend how these

groups have integrated themselves, including social class, residential patterns, language

fluency, rate of marriages between groups, cultural patterns, and self-identification. Also, the

current and historical status of the educated immigrants' assimilation is pivotal, as are the

policies of their home countries (Ro & Van Hook, 2021). This work will also aim to

determine which of the two groups, Asians and Latinos, has integrated most into society and

how the past and present immigration patterns shape the process.

Criteria for Assimilation

Consequently, it is possible to assess assimilation by specific criteria. Education,

income, and employment stability are part of the socioeconomic status. Spatial concentration

focuses on whether immigrants live close to their ethnic group or are more integrated into the

population. Proficiency in any language is fundamental in communication and social

adjustment. The levels of assimilation are portrayed through intermarriage rates. Main

cultural processes and how far immigrants conform to the majority's customs and beliefs

determine their assimilation. Last of all, identity, or how the significance of immigrants' roles

somewhere is perceived in terms of culture and power, depicts the level of assimilation. It

gives a clear guideline on how the assimilation of Asian and Latino immigrants in the United

States can be evaluated.

Asian Immigrants and Assimilation

Overall, Asian Americans are well assimilated in America based on several

parameters. This group enjoys better educational performance and higher earnings than most
other minorities and sometimes even the rest of the country. Unlike other ethnic populations,

there are ethnic neighborhoods like Chinatowns and Little Saigon, but many Asian

Americans live in suburban communities and are not geographically concentrated (Park et al.,

2018). The level of education is also satisfactory, and a great deal of the population is very

familiar with the English language, especially the second and third generation. The frequency

of marriages between the same groups is relatively high; thus, social integration exists in the

cultures above. Most Asian Americans assimilate into the symbolic American culture,

retaining some of their cultural practices. Looking at this bicultural identity, one can estimate

that the total assimilation has reached a considerable level.

Latino Immigrants and Assimilation

Latinos, on average, show different patterns of assimilation than other groups of the

population. Their education success and income status are not high; many have only received

low education and income. Latinos are mainly concentrated in neighborhoods in which other

Latinos make up a large proportion of the population, although there is an alarming tendency

toward the dispersal of ethnic enclaves. The Spanish language is maintained to a great extent;

however, the knowledge of the English language improves among the generations. Out-

marriage rates for non-Latinos are rising but are still lower than out-marriage rates for

Asians. The role of culture is fully appreciated among Latino families as most new-

generation Latinos strive to uphold a preserved Latino culture. However, like many a

consumer in any country of the world, Latinos also assimilate some parts of the American

culture, giving them a bi-cultural identity.

The current State of Immigration and Its Impact

The changes in the state of Immigration in America through the years have greatly

affected the pattern of assimilation of Asian and Latino immigrants. Until the Immigration
and Nationality Act of 1965, Asian Immigration was controlled mainly. So, Asians seeking

education and professional employment used to arrive in large numbers only after this act

was passed. It has been felt that immigration has occurred due to schemes like the Bracero

Program and various assumed waves of immigration because of political instabilities and

poor economic situations. Currently, both populations are increasing intensively: Asian

immigrants mainly from China, India, and the Philippines, and Asian immigrants from

Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Immigration policies and the community's

perception of immigrants always facilitate this process. Examples of assimilation's promoters

are integrated policies and positive perceptions, while examples of assimilation's inhibitors

are strict policies and negative perceptions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both Asian and Latino immigrants have migrated to the United States

and improved their standings in society in different aspects, but on average, it can be inferred

that compared to Latino immigrants, Asian American immigrants have integrated more

inclusively in terms of socioeconomic status, language use, and intermarriages. Both preserve

their cultural identity, and the historical and present-day legislation on immigration in

America defines these assimilations. The criteria of assimilation and the state of immigration

are essential information for how society transforms over time and the continuous journey of

various groups of immigrants in America.

 References

Ro, A., & Van Hook, J. (2021). Comparing immigration status and health patterns between

Latinos and Asians: Evidence from the Income and Program Participation Survey. PLOS

ONE, 16(2), e0246239. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0246239

Park, H., Choi, E., & Wenzel, J. A. (2018). Racial/ethnic differences in correlates of

psychological distress among five Asian-American subgroups and non-Hispanic Whites.

Ethnicity & Health, 25(8), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/13557858.2018.1481495