Transportation and immigrant political incorporation

ABSTRACT

The literature on political participation focuses on resources such as income and social capital in promoting individual engagement. This article highlights the role of transportation as a resource for the political incorporation of immigrants. Using data from 111 interviews with undocumented youths and community organisers in New York and New Jersey, results indicate that youths living in suburban and rural areas are more likely to encounter transport disadvantage than youths in urban areas. This had a negative impact on their ability to mobilise. In addition, the article provides information on the coping mechanisms employed by youths and their allies to deal with transport disadvantage. The article sheds light on the complex role of transportation in the political incorporation of immigrants.

KEYWORDS:

• Undocumented youths
• political incorporation
• transportation
• resources
• transport disadvantage

Acknowledgements

This research was supported (in part) by funds from a Summer Stipend from the Research Center for the Humanities and Social Sciences at William Paterson University.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.