Introduction: Assimilation, ethnic pluralism, and trans-nationalism for immigrants
Assimilation refers to a process by which a small group of immigrants join a larger group of immigrants, and become accepted in its culture. The small group even goes further to dominate the culture of the larger group. In recent times, assimilation has changed to ethnic pluralism. Ethnic pluralism arises where immigrants from different racial and ethnic groups live together peacefully.
Trans-nationalism, on the other hand, occurs where immigrants move from one country to another. All these activities and movements between any two countries explain the meaning of trans-nationalism. In this case, the immigrants do not have a permanent settlement in the host country.
There are different kinds of trans-nationalism, which include political, migrant and economic trans-nationalism. Migrant trans-nationalism is the one in which the migrating persons retain the social ties they had with the country of origin. Political trans-nationalism occurs where the immigrants can freely engage in political affairs in both the country of origin and destination.
Economic trans-nationalism occurs where the immigrants can engage in economic matters of the home country as well as those of the destination country. In this case, there are close relations between the immigrants in the home and the host country. They are even in a position to send money in their home country. The immigrants maintain continuous communication with the home country.
Differences and similarities between assimilation, ethnic pluralism, and trans-nationalism for immigrants
Assimilation and trans-nationalism differ in some respects. In the case of assimilation, the immigrants dominate the culture of the superior group that assimilates them. In the case of Trans-nationalism, the immigrants do not embrace the culture of the host country, but they engage in some of its political and social affairs.
Ethnic, national, professional, and social class identities are the common types of identity assumed by the immigrants. This is different from assimilation because there are no classes of identity in assimilation and ethnic pluralism. Another notable difference is that, in assimilation, the immigrants lose their identity, and become part of the culture of the host country.
In both ethnic pluralism and trans-nationalism, the immigrants do not lose their identity. Assimilation occurs in a host country, but trans-nationalism occurs across borders of different countries. In assimilation, there are no close ties between the host country and the immigrants.
In ethnic pluralism and trans-nationalism, the ties exist. In some types of assimilation, the immigrants do not become socially and culturally assimilated, and hence they get marginalized.
This is not the case in ethnic pluralism and trans-nationalism. In assimilation, the immigrants become part and parcel socially and in culture. In trans-nationalism, the immigrants can participate freely in politics and economic affairs of the home country.
All these three kinds of immigration have one thing in common. They all refer to the coexistence among immigrants. Trans-nationalism and ethnic pluralism are similar in some ways. In both, immigrants are not restricted from repatriating their wealth to the country of origin.
Conclusion
The best way to migrate and become exactly like the citizens of the host country is assimilation. Immigrants should become part and parcel of that country. It promotes integration. When immigrants get assimilated in to the host country, they do not even have to bother to repatriate their wealth to the home country. They become part of the culture of the host country, and they embrace it as their own.