Research

How do Refugees and Migrants Come to Understand Race and Racism in the United States?

This research gathered information from refugees and migrants from 18 different countries. Participants ranged in age from 18 to 65. Data came from interviews in Mobile, Alabama (15), and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (24), as well as surveys of 109 refugees and migrants from a nationwide survey.

Refugees learn about race from personal experiences, relationships with others, school, institutions and media influence throughout the migration journey.

This is one of the first studies that focuses on how refugees and migrants come to understand the concept of race and racism in the U.S.

This research has implications not only for refugee adults but for all of the individuals and systems interacting with them along the stages of their migration. This understanding can contribute to more coordinated efforts to promote equity, successful integration, and anti-racism.

Illustration of migrant and refugee families traveling along a path with three stops

1. Before Leaving

Prior experience with discrimination facilitates learning about race.

Participants report that having family in U.S. made them more aware of race.

U.S. literature is one way refugees learn about racial discrimination

Race and ethnicity definitions are unclear to many.

Illustration of refugee family with a child walking

Illustration of a group of refugees on the move and comments about their experiences with race and racism in the US

2. In Migration

Views of the U.S. differ by transit location

Experiences of racism in transit differ by race

Orientation and other materials do not prepare refugees and migrants for racial reality in U.S.

Participants report being exposed to harmful racial stereotypes while in transit

Illustration of migrant or refugee family with child and baby

Illustration of large group of people of diverse backgrounds talking together

3. Arriving in the U.S.

Many refugees experience first hand discrimination in the U.S.

Participants report that being bullied at school is one way refugee and migrant children learn about race.

Social Media contributed to a deeper learning about race in the U.S., especially for younger people.

81% of survey participants said they learned about race and racism from news and television shows depicting racial discrimination and police brutality.

This research was made possible by generous support from the Walmart Foundation. The findings, conclusions, and recommendations presented in this report are those of the research partners alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Walmart Foundation.

Collection of brochures, research brief, and infographics - How do Refugees and Migrants Come to Understand Race and Racism in the United States?

Overview

The Hello Neighbor Network is proud to share these research products, which resulted from a partnership with Tufts University’s Refugees in Towns initiative and UMass Amherst. With the generous support of The Walmart Foundation, the Harnisch Foundation and USA for UNHCR, the Hello Neighbor Network is undertaking one of the first national research studies of its kind on adult refugees' understanding and experience of race and racism in the U.S..

To learn more about this research as it evolves, hear from communities directly impacted by the work, and be among the first to see findings, you can subscribe to our newsletter. Initial findings and ongoing conversations will be held at the Refugees in Towns Race and Migration Symposium (April 14) at Tufts University and online.

Infographic. Follow someone's path on their migration journey for insights on how they learn about race and racism upon resettling in the United States. This infographic is available in English, Dari and Karen.
Brochures. Check out these brochures for higher level findings from the research. Use them to guide conversations and share with people you know. This brochure is available in English, Dari, and Karen.
Research Brief. This document shares more fully the research findings, provides more information about the theoretical framing of the work, and has references and other sources available.
Interactive Case Studies. Our partners through Refugees In Towns have made two interaction websites that present findings from case studies in Pittsburgh, PA and Mobile, AL.
Research Report. This report includes findings from the qualitative data analysis of this research.

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Past Research & Policy and Practice Briefs

The Hello Neighbor Network publishes original research studies and policy briefs to better understand both the role of grassroots organizations in refugee and immigrant belonging and communities' strengths and needs. The Network seeks to make policy briefs and research findings publicly available in the interest of policies and practices that increase belonging in communities and support community-based organizations.

Research Spotlight: "Race and Racism in the U.S.: Educational Gaps for Resettled Refugees (2022)"

The Hello Neighbor Network, with the generous support of The Walmart Foundation, is undertaking one of the first national research studies of its kind on adult refugees' understanding and experience of race and racism in the U.S.. Depending on country of origin, refugees may face race discrimination and violence and carry their own histories of racism from their country of origin. Many do not have an understanding of the history of race and racism in the U.S. and what it means for them.

The Hello Neighbor Network is proud to partner with Tufts University’s Refugees in Towns initiative and Dr. Karen Jacobsen, and University of Massachusetts-Amherst’s Dr. Linda Tropp and PhD student, Cierra Abellera, on the next phases of the study which include the Refugee Social Experiences national survey and two in-depth qualitative case studies on refugee experiences.

Race and Racism in the U.S.: Educational Gaps for Resettled Refugees (2022)

Original Research
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This brief consists of findings from a baseline literature review and key informant interviews on the status of education on race and racism in the U.S. among adult refugees. The one-pager outlines the Cultural Orientation Resource Exchange (CORE) trainings available for all refugees and the extent to which race and racism are covered as critical topics.

Advocacy in Nonprofits (2021)

Policy and Practice Brief

This practice brief outlines the reasons for and mechanisms through which nonprofits can advocate for their mission at the local, regional, and national level. The one-page overview highlights the legal guidelines the IRS has laid for advocacy versus lobbying and the value of coalitions.

Refugee Nonprofit Impact Index (2019)

Original Research

The national study was commissioned to better understand the impact of refugee nonprofit organizations to combat polarization and increase inclusiveness in communities across the U.S.

Eight organizations across the country participated and of the total of 156 responses, 77 of those were directly from refugees. The study reveals new insights that nonprofits, civic leaders, foundations, corporations and volunteers alike can use to inform their efforts.

93%

of volunteers believe their organization reduces polarization in their communities.

100%

of refugees agreed their organization makes people in their community feel more welcome.

"I have more self-confidence and feel like I belong."

- Burmese Refugee

"When we get together it is the best of times because we are like one family."

- Iraqi Refugee

93%