Immigration & Immigrants

What is Immigration and Immigrant Inequality?

Immigration is the act of traveling to a country for the purpose of permanent residence. Immigration has grown progressively over the years as usually people move due to the increased opportunities to find jobs and money. Immigrant inequality is known as the discrimination and difference in treatment towards immigrants, as they are treated as inferior due to not being from the country, they have a difference in wage, as they get paid lower wages than what they are supposed to be receiving, and different in quality of life, due to these two combined, leaving them to struggle to find peace while living in their new country.

Sociological Theories of Immigration

Sociology analysis of immigration with respect to ethnicity, social structure and policy.

Immigrants throughout history have been human flows to other advanced countries where there is more or better labor and a higher standard of living. Immigration has evolved in different ways to account for the modern culture, sovereignty, boarders, etc. Many ethnic groups that move to different countries are required to learn how to either assimilate into the dominate culture or able to coincide with other ethinic groups. It is believed that assimilating to the dominate culture is the only way for society to maintain its stability. Pluralism provides a better way of acculturation where ethnic groups maintain their own unique culture while still co-existing with the dominate group.

Sovereignty has become a big dictator for immigration. There are two sides to the debate of immigration and the first is everyone, as well as those in power, should care about and uphold the human rights of others. The other side to the argument is that governments are required to protect their citizens, and the importance of the rights of their citizens outweight the importance of others. Sovereignty is not synonymous with laws, but rather about creating sociatal norms as well as not impairing an individual's freedom.

State policies are influenced by the history and traditional ways of thinking of a society. Countries see the benefit of migrant labor which is about migrants offering their services going from region to region.

History of Immigration

United States

Starting as far back as the 1500s, Europeans started establishing settlements in present-day America. Primarily led by Spanish and French Immigrants, the first permanent settlement appeared in 1607, when English travelers founded Jamestown in the Virginia Colony. Over the next 500 years, America became a haven for religious freedoms, and economic opportunities.

In 1882, the Chinese Exclusion Act (which banned Chinese laborers from coming to America) was the first major federal legislation with the purpose of restricting immigration. Since then numerous immigration legislations have been implemented and is perennially a major debate topic for candidates running for federal office.

Ohio

In the years following the Revolutionary War, Ohio was a prime destination for pioneers. Due to the incredibly fertile farmland and access west via the Ohio River, most early settlers lived close to the river. The population increased rapidly and Ohio became the 17th state in 1803.

Now, in the 21st century, Ohio is still a popular destination when searching for a place to live. Ohio has one of the best economies in the country, with a seemingly endless number of job opportunities. Ranked 9th for cost of living, top-class healthcare and school districts, 75 state parks, and some of the most diverse neighborhoods in the country, Ohio's population is growing every year.

Dayton

With a population of only 323 in 1810, Dayton was somewhat insignificant to contributing to the State's economy. With the Industrial Revolution ramping up, the population had grown to about 30,000 in 1870. By 1910, Dayton was home to over 115,000 residents and growing.

In 1903, Dayton natives Orville and Wilbur Wright completed the first successful powered airplane flight, and brought national attention to the city. By 1926 Dayton was the U.S. manufacturing leader of more than 50 different products, thanks to the creation of the National Cash Register (NCR) and home to the head of research and development for General Motors (GM) among others.

Today, Dayton is home to many diverse neighborhoods and the top STEM schools in the country. Over 340 paved recreation trails and locally owned restaurants and businesses are proud to call Dayton home.

Immigration Statistics

Learn more about specific states and counties using this interactive map

Immigration Resources:

Dayton, Ohio

Immigrant Opportunities

Second Chance Grant Program: According to highered.ohio.gov: "The Second Chance Grant provides financial assistance in the form of $2,000 grants to eligible students re-enrolling at a qualifying institution in order to obtain a degree or credential."

Ohio to Work: Ohio Opportunities for New Americans states: "Take our career exploration tool to help you find your perfect fit. Enroll and get funding for training for high-demand jobs. Sign up for a virtual career fair to help you connect to hiring employers. Get help writing a resume or cover letter and prepare for an interview. Connect to support services such as transportation assistance and child care."

Refugee Services Program: According to Ohio Opportunities for New Americans: "Refugees may be eligible for medical assistance and social services programs such as job and language training, employment counseling, job placement, child care and transportation related to employment, citizenship training, and naturalization services."

Community Resources | Dayton, OH

Immigrant Affluent areas

Immigrants in the Dayton, Ohio Metro Area

Figure above: Shows the distrubution of immigrant population across Ohio.

References

City of Dayton. n.d.-a. “Community Resources.” Daytonohio.gov. Retrieved December 1, 2022 (https://www.daytonohio.gov/1019/Community-Resources).

Dmello, Natasha. 2017. “Sociology of Immigration.” Sociology Group: Sociology and Other Social Sciences Blog. Retrieved December 1, 2022 (https://www.sociologygroup.com/sociological-view-immigration-migration/).

Find Your Ohio. 2021. “Best Places to Work in Ohio - Dayton Jobs.” Find Your Ohio. Retrieved December 1, 2022 (https://www.findyourohio.com/dayton/).

Gardner, Chancellor Randy. n.d. “Department of Higher Education.” Ohio.gov. Retrieved December 1, 2022 (https://highered.ohio.gov/).

George Mason University Institute of Immigration Research. n.d.-d. “Immigrants in the Dayton, Ohio Metro Area 2016 NUMBERS AT A GLANCE.” Cloudfront.net. Retrieved December 1, 2022 (https://d101vc9winf8ln.cloudfront.net/documents/29965/original/OH_Dayton_Metro_Area_iDod_Fact_Sheet.pdf?1549303606).

History.com Editors. 2009. “U.S. Immigration before 1965.” HISTORY. Retrieved December 1, 2022

(https://www.history.com/topics/immigration/u-s-immigration-before-1965).

Merriam-Webster. n.d.-b. “Definition of IMMIGRATION.” Merriam-webster.com. Retrieved December 1, 2022

(https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/immigration).

Millsap, Adam. 2018. “How the Gem City Lost Its Luster and How It Can Get It Back: A Case Study of Dayton, Ohio.”

SSRN Electronic Journal. doi: 10.2139/ssrn.3102666.

Ohio to Work. n.d.-f. “Ohio to Work.” Ohio.gov. Retrieved December 1, 2022 (https://newamericans.ohio.gov/resources_otw.html).

Refugee Services Program. n.d.-g. “Refugee Services Program.” Ohio.gov. Retrieved December 1, 2022 (https://newamericans.ohio.gov/resources_rsp.html).

The Immigrant Learning Center. 2020. “Quick Immigration Statistics: United States >.” The Immigrant Learning Center. Retrieved December 1, 2022 (https://www.ilctr.org/quick-us-immigration-statistics/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA-JacBhC0ARIsAIxybyNPcaB65v9dpgMqWrymYe9pKrv5Vj1Ft3Lfp7XPGw8QwCYtOTNEohEaAn2PEALw_wcB).

The Immigrant Learning Center. n.d.-e. “Interactive Map of Foreign-Born by State.” Immigrationresearch.org. Retrieved December 1, 2022 (https://www.immigrationresearch.org/book-page/%5Bfield_report_organization-formatted%5D/interactive-map-foreign-born-state).

Vickerstaff Law Office. n.d.-c. “How Are Undocumented Immigrants Often Treated Unfairly at Work?” Vickerstaff Law Office, PSC. Retrieved December 1, 2022 (https://www.vickerstafflaw.com/articles/how-are-undocumented-immigrants-often-treated-unfairly-at-work/).

Wiki, Familysearch. 2016. “United States Migration to Ohio, Northwest Territory, Southwest 1785 to 1840 (National Institute).” FamilySearch Wiki. Retrieved December 1, 2022 (https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/United_States_Migration_to_Ohio,_Northwest_Territory,_Southwest_1785_to_1840_(National_Institute)).

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