Changing Identities: The Impact of Migration on How Migrants View Themselves

• Emily Popielec, , Boston College

• Lindsay Naylor, Geography and Spatial Sciences, University of Delaware

For migrants to the United States (U.S.), identity is deeply rooted in relationships with people in the community because so many markers of identity are terms that describe who a person is in relation to someone else, for example mother or boss. Immigrating to a new area not only disrupts identity-based relationships, but forces a migrant to adapt to new sets of social expectations. This factor, and others not listed, could impact the way migrants identify themselves within their interpersonal relationships, the labels they use to describe themselves, and the way they identify themselves within and outside of the migrant community. Current research provides much needed information about the role of relationships in identity’s capacity for change, and the effects of migration on those connections. However, in this research, I examine how migrating to the U.S. impacts a person’s sense of self and belonging in their U.S. community, which can be useful in recognizing ways receiving communities can better support migrants and show obstacles to belonging non-immigrants might not have considered.