Integrate
“While we live in a pluralist society, it is important that we work to establish a shared community. Efforts to integrate migrants includes both the goal of familiarizing migrants with American life and culture, while cultivating opportunities for intercultural enrichment brought about by their presence.”
Pope Francis, 2018 World Day of Migrants and Refugees Message
The Center for Migration Studies: Ten Years of Democratizing Data Project
To understand how migrants are fairing in their new land, how they are integrating into their new surroundings, and what obstacles they face throughout this process, it is critical to have access to trustworthy data and fair, unbiased analyses of that data. In 2013, the Center for Migration Studies (CMS) launched a new initiative, The Democratizing Data Project, which sought to increase public understanding of immigration and promote sound policies that treat immigrants “as would-be citizens in a tolerant, pluralistic nation rooted in the core ideals of equality, justice, freedom, opportunity, and the rule of law” (Kerwin, Warren and Wheeler 2021, 945).
Most recently, CMS released its capstone report on the project that highlights top-line findings and themes from the more than 30 CMS studies under this project and examines and refutes persistent misconceptions that have inhibited public understanding and needed policy change. It concludes with a short reflection and a case study on the failure of data, evidence-based policy ideas, and national ideals to translate into necessary reform.
As you seek to find creative ways to help migrants living in the United States integrate more effectively into local communities, take a moment to read the findings in this report and incorporate their insights into your daily work.