ABSTRACT
We use the designation ‘immigrants’ to include the native-born, the already naturalized and those currently or even potentially eligible for naturalization. What this admittedly diverse group has in common is the salient fact that many are not politically mobilized, organized, registered voters, voters, or partisans. Even native-born descendants
1. Introduction Our es ay ad res es the comparatively neglected topic of immigrant political incorporation. Demographics and the stakes for both democracy and for immigrants themselves give the subject timelines and drama. We argue for the unparalleled significance of naturalization, voter egistration, and participation, andwe sug est hat historically and still today, political parties are the key institutions charged with political incorporation in the USA. Two structural features of American politics enable incorporation by providing multiple op ortunities for political activity: federalism with its enormous number of state and local government elections and offices, and the permeable character of political parties. We argue that partisanship stands out from movement and protest politics, advocacy, and even voting per se as a form of political incorporation. Partisanship as political identity and practice has a go d claim to earning immigrants recognition as citizens, and a distinctive claim to achieving incorporation in a moral register. Recognition and self-identification as an American citizen depend onmore than citizenship status, we argue; it entails democratic capacity as well.
