What is success? Examining the concept of successful integration among African immigrants in Canada. Issue 3 (17th February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kyeremeh, Emmanuel; Arku, Godwin; Mkandawire, Paul; Cleave, Evan; Yusuf, Ismahan
• Is Part Of: Journal of ethnic and migration studies. Volume 47:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: 649
• Page End: 667
• Publication Date: 2021-02-17
• Subjects: Immigrants -- successful integration -- policy -- Canada; Ethnic relations -- Periodicals; Race relations -- Periodicals; Emigration and immigration -- Periodicals; Assimilation (Sociology) -- Periodicals; 305.8005
• DOI: 10.1080/1369183X.2019.1639494
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1369-183X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Canadian immigration documents such as the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act 2001 stipulate that it is the responsibility of the government to help immigrants to integrate successfully. In part, this is due to the recognition that immigrants have the capital vital for economic and demographic enhancement of the country. To this end, successful integration is an important policy objective, with policymakers outlining indicators that measure the degree of immigrant integration. However, it is unclear the extent to which such policy indicators reflect the perspectives of immigrants. Drawing on in-depth interviews with African immigrants in London, Ontario, we report on a qualitative study that explored the meaning of successful integration. The findings capture some dimensions of successful integration. They indicate that creating avenues for personal growth and development in a context where immigrants have options and opportunities for advancement is an important marker of integration. Moreover, the findings show that achieving pre-migration aspirations – dreams and goals set prior to arrival in the host country are central to immigrants' conceptualisation of integration. Furthermore, as opposed to an action with a definite endpoint, immigrants understand integration as an ongoing process in which immigrants continuously adapt in response to changing demands of the host country.