About
The Immigration Research Forum is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization established in Washington, DC dedicated to the research of transatlantic immigration, the social integration of immigrants and their impact on host communities and countries of origin.
It seeks to bring together professionals with different areas of research expertise, to help develop, promote and sustain strategies of empowering vulnerable populations, including immigrant groups through lobby and public diplomacy efforts.
The IRF seeks to support research on transatlantic immigration to the United States and the factors determining the successful integration of immigrants within host communities. It focusses on transdisciplinary scientific research that serves as basis for policy counselling. By developing and implementing expert surveys, needs evaluation reports, training, information and documentation efforts, it seeks to inform decision makers of its grassroots findings.
We believe that transatlantic immigration, whether voluntary or forced, and the integration of vulnerable populations, requires an active involvement and monitoring process from grassroots community stakeholders so as to best inform the positions of national and international decision makers. We believe that when policy and decision makers are provided with evidence-based, non-ideological insights and best practices on immigration, they are best equipped to take rational decisions that positively impact the long-term, successful integration of migrants, their host as well as their communities of origin. We believe that ad-hoc, politicized responses to crisis situations involving migrants lead to lasting, negative public perceptions, endangering the prospects of full integration. Negative rhetoric proves in the long term harmful to all stakeholders and impedes the prospects of eventual inclusion and upward mobility in a cohesive society. It breeds resentful, extremist ideology and behavior both within the first and second generation of immigrants as well as within host community groups.
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Goals and Objectives
Undertake needs-assessment research focused on the individual, family and the group socialization of the immigrant populations;
Initiate activities that target the identification of the most important factors influencing the social integration of migrants; evaluating these influences over time and promoting individual, family and community resilience processes.
Carry out empowerment, guidance and consultancy efforts that reassert respect for the unique cultural heritage of the migrant as well as the obligation to adhere to the values and ideals of the host community.
Assist community-based organizations in relaying the assessed needs of persons currently experiencing social integration challenges to decision-making entities.
Collaboration with other non-governmental entities engaged in work impacting stakeholders;
Promote activities targeting public awareness of the challenges faced by immigrants;
Support informational activities with regards to the legal rights and obligations of persons finding themselves within the difficult process of immigration.
Be a platform for the exchange of ideas, experiences, and projects among practitioners, advocates and emerging leaders focusing on the integration of immigrant populations.
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Our Vision
The IRF aims to foster a transdisciplinary community of experts actively involved in transatlantic immigration research and the promotion of sustainable and inclusive community-level immigrant integration programs. The IRF promotes synergic strategies on research action projects concerning the healthy development of children and youth belonging to migrant populations by promoting identity resilience within integration processes. The IRF focuses on the transformative role of civil society in responding to political decision-making impacting immigrant populations.
The knowledge transfers between science, politics, administration and the general public is of central interest to the IRF. The disconnect between the policy formulation process and the communities that implement the integration of immigrants is a decisive factor in the sustainability of a cohesive society.
The IRF will develop evidence about how migrant integration works by investing in grassroots initiatives that tackle local issues. We seek to mobilize a partnership of funders to achieve this so that practice in a wide variety of communities can be tested, evaluated and replicated where possible.
We aim to develop at least one major initiative every year and are open to joint-funding proposals from other funders in the field of new immigration. We believe that securing such partnerships with vested joint interests would increase the added value of our work.
The IRF supports the efforts of partners engaged in immigrant rights advocacy, including efforts to secure comprehensive immigration reform that addresses the realities of immigration in both sending and receiving countries. The IRF also supports initiatives and institutions that are crucial to building an effective and lasting international movement to protect immigrants' rights. We seek to assist individuals, groups or non-governmental community-based entities who have undertaken successful initiatives aimed at creating positive change in migrant hosting communities. Such results-oriented initiatives would target the promotion of cultural heritage, community development, and youth focused projects that address assessed needs in immigrant communities.
The IRF seeks to improve the lives of immigrant and naturalized citizens by consolidating the efforts and resources of the public, private, and nongovernmental sectors and implementing social and economic development programs based on the latest domestic and international expertise and innovative approaches
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