Immigrants and Local Governance: The View from City Hall

Publication Date: June 2005

Publisher: Public Policy Institute of California

Author(s): S. Karthick Ramakrishnan; Paul G. Lewis

Research Area: Population and demographics

Type: Report

Coverage: California

Abstract:

More than one-quarter of California residents are foreign-born. Yet, very little is known about the effects of immigration on public policymaking and representation at the local level. In this report, the authors address three major questions. First, how do municipal officials become aware of the needs and preferences of immigrant populations? Second, how do they attempt to communicate city policies to their immigrant constituents, many of whom do not speak English? Third, how – if at all – does the presence of immigrants alter the policies and routines of city government?