Jamaican Immigrants in the United States and Canada: Race, Transnationalism, and Social Capital

Jamaican Immigrants in the United States and Canada: Race, Transnationalism, and Social Capital
Terry-Ann Jones
December 2007

ISBN-13:  978-1-59332-237-3 / Hardcover
Dimensions:  5.5 x 8.5 / viii, 190 pages

Price   $62.00

"a very worthwhile read" -- Journal of American Ethnic History

Description

Jones finds that the experiences and socioeconomic progress of immigrants are largely dependent on their contexts of reception. She bases her findings on her study of Jamaican immigrants in Miami-Fort Lauderdale (South Florida) and Toronto (Canada). Of particular relevance are the racial and ethnic compositions of the two areas, their labor markets, and the immigration policies of the two countries. She compares the socioeconomic status of Jamaican immigrants in these two areas, using education, occupation, and income as the main indicators. Jamaicans in South Florida fare better in all three indicators than they do in Toronto. A primary reason for this is the presence of a large native-born blacks population in the U.S., creating a network for the Jamaicans.

About the Author

Terry-Ann Jones is Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Fairfield University. She earned her Ph.D. in International Studies from the University of Miami in 2005. Her main research area is Latin American and Caribbean migration to the United States and Canada. Her other research interests include temporary labor migration and human trafficking.