A Qualitative Analysis of the Lived Experiences of a Small Group of Filipino Immigrants

Abstract

A Qualitative Analysis of the Lived Experiences of a Small Group of Filipino Immigrants Demographers have forecasted that the U.S. is rapidly moving closer to becoming a majority-minority country, this fact and the politically divisive nature of recent debates and attempts at immigration reform have fostered increased conversations about citizenship, diversity, assimilation/s, and other immigration discourses. Often these dialogues surround boarder-crossings and the political, economic, and social implications of im/migration. One unfortunate outcome is frequently the perpetuation of stereotypes and the othering of many migrant groups to which this research oers a counter narrative. This counter narrative is built on the lived citizenship of a small group of Filipino immigrants in the U.S. The paper demonstrates thatcontextuallyworking abroad is common practice in the Philippines; this phenomenon is woven into the political, social, and economic jurisdictions of the country.

This research lls one gap in im/migration studies as it chronicles the stories of these Filipino immigrants while examining their perceptions about their identity, sense of belonging, right to place, and the legitimacy of their citizenship socio-culturally. The paper places these and other narratives from this group of im/migrants within the theoretical framework of Critical Theory, hence oering a voice to a group of individuals not frequently heard in academia.