E.g., 06/20/2026
E.g., 06/20/2026
Immigrant Integration

Immigrant Integration

_ImmigrantYouth2

Immigrant integration is the process of economic mobility and social inclusion for newcomers and their children. As such, integration touches upon the institutions and mechanisms that promote development and growth within society, including early childhood care; elementary, postsecondary, and adult education systems; workforce development; health care; provision of government services to communities with linguistic diversity; and more. Successful integration builds communities that are stronger economically and more inclusive socially and culturally.

Recent Activity

Cover image for Reconstruyendo vidas en Guatemala
Reports
June 2026
By  Ariel G. Ruiz Soto, María Jesús Mora and Diego Chaves-González
Cover image for Rebuilding Lives in Guatemala
Reports
June 2026
By  Ariel G. Ruiz Soto, María Jesús Mora and Diego Chaves-González
Cover image for Leveraging ESSA Funding for Pre-K Family Engagement to Support Dual Language Learner
Policy Briefs
June 2026
By  Katherine Habben and Maki Park
A young woman with the Syrian flag painted on her cheek
Articles
A woman wearing scrubs in a health-care setting reviews a chart
Articles
The backs of two people on a motorbike; above them a sign notes the Guatemala border
Articles
Cover image for Creating Inclusive Urban Economies for Migrants and Refugees
Reports
May 2026
By  Kate Hooper, María Jesús Mora, Abigail Goldfarb and Natalia Banulescu-Bogdan
Cover image for Reconstruyendo vidas en Guatemala
Reports
June 2026
By  Ariel G. Ruiz Soto, María Jesús Mora and Diego Chaves-González
Cover image for Rebuilding Lives in Guatemala
Reports
June 2026
By  Ariel G. Ruiz Soto, María Jesús Mora and Diego Chaves-González
Cover image for Leveraging ESSA Funding for Pre-K Family Engagement to Support Dual Language Learner
Policy Briefs
June 2026
By  Katherine Habben and Maki Park
Cover image for Creating Inclusive Urban Economies for Migrants and Refugees
Reports
May 2026
By  Kate Hooper, María Jesús Mora, Abigail Goldfarb and Natalia Banulescu-Bogdan
Cover image for Rooted in the Valley
Reports
May 2026
By  Valerie Lacarte, Michael Fix and Allison Rutland
Cover image for Native Language Assessments for K-12 English Learners
Fact Sheets
March 2026
By  Greg García, Gloria Choi and Lorena Mancilla
A young woman with the Syrian flag painted on her cheek

Although the Syrian immigrant population in the United States roughly doubled following the outbreak of Syria's civil war, it remains relatively small compared to both the overall U.S. immigrant population and Syrian emigration globally. This article compiles key statistics about this group.

A woman wearing scrubs in a health-care setting reviews a chart

The Trump administration is seeking to all but eliminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS), a humanitarian safeguard for U.S.-resident noncitizens whose home countries were too dangerous or unstable for return. While critics say the term "temporary" has been stretched beyond recognition, TPS has become a mainstay. This article examines the history and use of TPS, the debate over its future, and holders of the status. 

The backs of two people on a motorbike; above them a sign notes the Guatemala border

Migration patterns from and through Central America are changing in fundamental ways amid rising immigration enforcement and a reduction in global humanitarian aid. These twin developments are putting new pressures on governments in the region and reshaping migrant experiences, as this article explores.

People hold Brazilian flags

The United States is home to the largest Brazilian community outside Brazil. Still, Brazilians account for only about 1 percent of all U.S. immigrants. This population has grown rapidly in recent years, with nearly two-thirds of Brazilian immigrants arriving since 2010, as this article details.

A pregnant woman at an airport.

Birth tourism is at the center of the Trump administration’s legal argument to end the guarantee of birthright citizenship. Estimates suggest the practice is quite rare, and a range of government actions, including enforcement operations on "maternity hotels," has sought to eradicate it. This article examines birth tourism to the United States, offering a look at trends, policy responses, and its role in the legal fight over ending birthright citizenship.

A line drawing of a city landscape with people
Explainers
October 2024

Other than refugees, noncitizens in the United States face significant restrictions on access to federally funded public benefits, including programs such as Medicaid, food stamps, and cash assistance programs. This is particularly the case for unauthorized immigrants, who except in very limited circumstances are barred from all federally funded public benefits, as our explainer details.

Election-themed geometric pattern in red and blue
Explainers
September 2024

Are noncitizens voting in U.S. elections? What is the process for verifying that someone is eligible to vote? This explainer answers basic questions and addresses misconceptions about voting by unauthorized immigrants and other noncitizens—which audits by elections officials and independent research have demonstrated is extremely rare.

Climate Change Is Making People Sick. Can Migration Help?
Expert Q&A, Audio
May 26, 2026

Leaving a climate-vulnerable place can potentially lead to better health outcomes for individuals, but only under the right circumstances. This episode of Changing Climate, Changing Migration features economist and researcher Ilse Ruyssen, who discusses the intersection of climate change, migration, and health.

Expert Q&A, Audio
April 2, 2026

Why has immigration become so politically divisive—and why is it so difficult for governments to design policies that satisfy both public concerns and economic needs?

Ana Paula Noguez Mercado speaking on webinar
Video, Audio
March 11, 2026

This webinar focuses on the ever-greater relevance of state and local language access policies in today’s rapidly changing federal policy context, highlighting findings from a recent MPI report. 

Trish Morita-Mullaney speaking on webinar
Video, Audio
March 5, 2026

This discussion focuses on the federal government's invitation to states to seek waivers of their obligations under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Experts offer an overview of current state waivers and their objectives, and what these developments might mean for English Learners (ELs) and their schools. 

Expert Q&A, Audio
February 25, 2026

South Korea faces a rapidly aging population and shrinking workforce. What role can immigration play in responding to these pressures? In this World of Migration podcast episode, MPI’s Lawrence Huang speaks with Juyoung Jang, a senior policy researcher and advisor on migration and demographics at South Korea’s Migration Research and Training Center.

Recent Activity

Reports
June 2026

El perfil de los migrantes guatemaltecos que están siendo forzados a retornar a Guatemala ha mostrado señales de cambio. Con frecuencia los migrantes retornados han permanecido fuera del país por períodos más prolongados y han establecido raíces en el extranjero. Este informe analiza las oportunidades para fortalecer los servicios de reintegración, dadas las características cambiantes de los migrantes retornados.

Reports
June 2026

The profile of Guatemalans forcibly returned to Guatemala is shifting, with returnees often having been outside of the country for longer periods and establishing roots abroad. This report examines opportunities to strengthen reintegration services, given the changing characteristics of returnees.

Policy Briefs
June 2026

Active family engagement is essential to ensuring children benefit fully from early childhood education and care programs. Yet language barriers and cultural misunderstandings can sometimes keep educators and the families of Dual Language Learners (DLLs) from forming this important partnership. This policy brief explores strategies to better utilize federal funding to engage with DLL children and families.

Articles

Although the Syrian immigrant population in the United States roughly doubled following the outbreak of Syria's civil war, it remains relatively small compared to both the overall U.S. immigrant population and Syrian emigration globally. This article compiles key statistics about this group.

Expert Q&A, Audio
May 26, 2026

Leaving a climate-vulnerable place can potentially lead to better health outcomes for individuals, but only under the right circumstances. This episode of Changing Climate, Changing Migration features economist and researcher Ilse Ruyssen, who discusses the intersection of climate change, migration, and health.

Articles

The Trump administration is seeking to all but eliminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS), a humanitarian safeguard for U.S.-resident noncitizens whose home countries were too dangerous or unstable for return. While critics say the term "temporary" has been stretched beyond recognition, TPS has become a mainstay. This article examines the history and use of TPS, the debate over its future, and holders of the status. 

Articles

Migration patterns from and through Central America are changing in fundamental ways amid rising immigration enforcement and a reduction in global humanitarian aid. These twin developments are putting new pressures on governments in the region and reshaping migrant experiences, as this article explores.

Reports
May 2026

Migrants and refugees make up notable shares of the workforce in many cities. By creating an environment in which they can find work, apply their skills, and thrive, urban areas can set themselves up to weather current and future economic changes, including the green and digital transitions. Drawing on a scan of city practices on four continents, this report examines the experiences and policy approaches of cities around the world.