UC Irvine

ABSTRACT

In the general area of immigrant incorporation studies, few investigations have looked at interconnections among different kinds of incorporation, but instead have usually focused on only one facet of incorporation at a time. Scholars vary considerably in their perceptions of immigrant incorporation, and this variation is particularly pronounced for Mexican immigrants. Some scholars emphasize slow but steady mobility while others focus on barriers and downfalls. Still others see Mexicans and their descendants as unassimilable. Classic assimilation theory proposes that with the occurrence of "structural assimilation," or entrance into mainstream primary groups, all other forms of assimilation will naturally follow in no particular order. It further holds that exposure to the host country will also help account for similarities shared by newcomers and natives, if for no other reason than time diminishes differences. This dissertation investigates relationships between indicators of the American Dream and some of the most important aspects of the incorporation of Mexican immigrants-the strength and direction of the relationship between an important aspect of economic incorporation, homeownership, critical aspects of political and sociocultural incorporation, ethnoracial identity, and naturalization, respectively. It also investigates for U.S.-born Mexican Americans the relationship between homeownership and ethnoracial identity. The findings indicate that Mexican immigrant homeowners (44.6%) are more likely than non-homeowners (21.6%) to be naturalized. Time in the country for Mexican immigrants has a positive effect on homeownership, as age has a positive odds (1.012) on identifying as white in the race category listed by the U.S. Census Bureau. The data shows that 57% of Mexican Americans are homeowners, 54% identify as being white, and their mean years of education is just below 12 years, not too far from that of the average American-born native, with just above a mean household income of $46,000. These findings suggest exposure to American ways of life, or proactively incorporating, is working for Mexican immigrants and Mexican Americans on their pathway to achieving the American Dream.

Key words: Immigration, Incorporation, Mexican Immigrants, Mexican Americans, Homeownership, Naturalization, Citizenship, Racial Identity, American Dream

©2014 Esther Castillo