The Spatial Distribution and Socioeconomic Impacts of African Immigrants in the Us: the Case of Nigerians in Toledo Metropolitan Region, Northwest Ohio
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THE SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION AND SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACTS OF AFRICAN IMMIGRANTS IN THE US: THE CASE OF NIGERIANS IN TOLEDO METROPOLITAN REGION, NORTHWEST OHIO Olasunkanmi Abiola Busari A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate College of Bowling Green State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE December 2019 Committee: Kefa M.Otiso, Ph.D, Advisor Kelly S. Balistreri, Ph.D Andrew J. Gregory, Ph.D © 2019 Olasunkanmi A. Busari All Rights Reserved iii ABSTRACT Kefa M. Otiso, Advisor This study describes the spatial distribution of Nigerian immigrants in the Toledo Metropolitan Area and their socioeconomic characteristics including income, education attainment, housing, and occupation. Moreover, the study examines the socioeconomic contributions of Nigerian immigrants to the region, USA, and Nigeria. Using US Census and survey data, the study finds that Nigerians in the US have high Socioeconomic Status (SES) and are concentrated in specific cities, regions, and states of the US. The study also finds that Nigerians in the Toledo MSA have a clustered geographic distribution pattern, an impressive socioeconomic profile, and have contributed immensely to the socioeconomic life of the region, the US, and Nigeria. Data for this research came from an online survey as well as from secondary sources such as the U.S. Census Bureau. The data were analyzed using various qualitative and quantitative techniques and were further analyzed and mapped using ESRI’s ArcMap 10.3. Keywords: Spatial distribution, socioeconomic characteristics and impacts, Nigerian Immigrants, African immigrants, Toledo Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), Ohio, USA. iv I dedicate this research work to the Almighty God. Also, to my beautiful wife and daughter – Mrs. Royal Busari and Princess Favour Olamide Busari. I also dedicate this work to my Late Grandma – Mrs. Iyabo Ronke Adegbite and Late Deacon J. Bolaji Oyesola. v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS My appreciation goes to the Almighty God for giving me the grace, knowledge, wisdom and understanding to put this beautiful research work together. I give Him all the Glory and praise in Jesus name [Amen]. I would also like to thank my supervisor and advisor Prof. Kefa M. Otiso for his advice, encouragement, patience, and fatherly guidance and contributions to the success of this project. I record my appreciation to my committee members - Dr. Andrew J. Gregory, and Dr. Kelly S. Balistreri. I will not forget to thank my Graduate Coordinator – Prof. Kurt Panter, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs - Prof. Sheila Roberts, former Director of Africana Studies - Prof. Apollos Nwauwa and Dr. Vera J. Lux (Librarian) for their contributions to my academic success. I express my gratitude to all of my other professors – Dr. Peter V. Gorsevski, Dr. Enrique Gomezdelcampo, Dr. Anita Simic, Dr. Nathan Hensley and to all of the faculty and staff members who have taught me much from their wealth of experience and knowledge throughout my stay at Bowling Green state University. They have taken time to prepare me for the future by stimulating my intellect and fortifying my mind with sound geographic knowledge and geospatial skills. My special appreciation goes to my caring and wonderful parents Mr. and Mrs. Ayinde and Olufunke Busari for their support and sacrifice over the years. I am grateful to have you as parents. I also want to use this opportunity to thank my wife and daughter for their love. Both of you have been my strongest support and I am blessed to have you. Thank you for making my life wonderful. vi I am delighted to say a big thank you to my aunt Mrs. Bola Dickson for her motherly love and financial support. My profound gratitude goes to my uncle – Mr Oseni Waheed for sponsoring this higher degree. I can’t thank you enough uncle. Also, my sincere appreciation goes to Mrs. Modupe Akinola, Mrs. Olajumoke Oyesola, Mr. and Mrs. Pius and Bola Dickson, Alhaji Yunusa Adesokan, Mr. Tunde Adegbite, and Mr. Lanre Adegbite for their moral and material support during my stay at the university and for the success of this project. I appreciate the moral support of my siblings: Olamide, Olateju, Olatunde, Kehinde Idowu, and Alaba. I am indebted and grateful to members of the Nigerian Association of Greater Toledo (NAGT) and all respondents of my thesis survey for their contributions to the success of this project. I am highly grateful to these wonderful set of family members and friends: Jide Akinola, Kunle Akinola, Damola Afuwape, Patrick Reil, John Woloschuck, Chad Mason, Nahom, Kumolu-Johnson Bankole, Tawose Olakunle, Kuti Oluwasegun, Legunsen Oladipupo and Okunola Ayodeji for their immense contributions to my success. I also thank all the members of Dayspring Church Bowling Green, The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Toledo, and Cornerstone church, Toledo for making my life beautiful while on campus. Finally, I extend my gratitude to all the staff and students of the School of Earth, Environment and Society, College of Arts and Sciences, Bowling Green State University for making my stay in the university meaningful and worthwhile. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY .............. 1 1.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Purpose of Study .............................................................................................. 9 1.3 Aim and Objectives ......................................................................................... 10 1.4 Significance of Study ....................................................................................... 11 1.5 Research Questions .......................................................................................... 12 1.6 Definition of Terms ......................................................................................... 13 1.7 Scope of Study ................................................................................................. 13 1.8 Study Limitations ............................................................................................ 14 1.9 Thesis Structure ............................................................................................... 15 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK ...... 16 2.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................... 16 2.2 Literature Review ............................................................................................ 16 2.3 Theoretical Framework .................................................................................... 20 2.3.1 Push-Pull Theory ............................................................................... 21 2.3.1.1 Push Factors........................................................................ 21 2.3.1.2 Pull Factors ......................................................................... 21 2.3.2 Neoclassical Economic Theory .......................................................... 22 2.3.3 The New Economics of Labor Migration (NELM) ............................ 23 2.3.4 The Dual-Labor Market Theory ......................................................... 23 2.3.5 The Social Network Theory ............................................................... 24 viii 2.3.6 Myrdal’s Cumulative Causation Theory ............................................ 25 2.3.7 Institutional Theory ........................................................................... 25 2.3.8 The World Systems Theory ............................................................... 26 2.4 The Legal Framework of US Immigration........................................................ 27 2.4.1 Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) of 1952 ................................ 28 2.4.2 Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) of 1965 ................................ 28 2.4.3 Refugee Act of 1980 .......................................................................... 29 2.4.4 The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 ............................ 29 2.4.5 The Diversity Visa Program (Immigration Act of 1990) .................... 29 2.4.6 The Immigration Reform and Immigration Responsibility Act of 1996 .................................................................................... 30 2.4.7 USA PATRIOT Act of 2001.............................................................. 30 2.5 Framework of US Immigrant Incorporation ..................................................... 30 2.5.1 Assimilation ...................................................................................... 31 2.5.2 Separation ......................................................................................... 32 2.5.3 Marginalization ................................................................................. 32 2.5.4 Integration ......................................................................................... 32 CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ...................................................... 34 3.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................... 34 3.2 Research Design .............................................................................................. 34 3.3 Study Population and Selection Methods ......................................................... 34 3.4 Data Sources and Collection Methods .............................................................. 35 3.5 Methods of