African Immigrant Incorporation in Maine

Since the 1990s, the African immigrant population has steadily increased nationally. This has renewed discussions about immigrant incorporation and adaptation in scholarly and political discourse. However, the literature does not adequately address the role of African refugees and asylum seekers in new destinations. Using interview data and data from the 2018-2022 American Community Survey, this thesis examines the experiences of African immigrants in southern Maine. The empirical results are analyzed using the life course perspective on migration to understand the relationship between structure and agency in the formation of identity and social position. I find that for African immigrants in Maine, there is a common life course into a racialized labor market that varies based on education, legal status, and level of support in the U.S.