The Politics of the Nation and the Limits of Immigrant Research

This paper explores how the "politics of the nation" shape migration research. Immigration research inherently intersects with the political dynamics of nation-states; however, beyond this fundamental framework, a myriad of political factors shape the agendas and methodologies of researchers seeking to enter these fields. This paper examines how these politics influence the questions asked and knowledge produced within the context of immigration research through vignettes drawn from fieldwork conducted during an era of heightened politicization and challenges for immigration institutions in the United States. It illustrates how the politics of the nation materialize in institutional contexts, when contentious politics constrain access to data, research spaces, or participants; curtail the openness of potential community partners; or erect barriers to certain types of academic inquiry. Ultimately, this paper calls for a critical examination of how political forces shape and constrain the practice of immigration research, as well as the epistemological costs. Keywords: immigrant institutions, fieldwork, refugee resettlement, immigrant research, politics, politicization