THE MEXICAN IMMIGRANT EXPERIENCE IN NORTHWEST IOWA: A QUALITATIVE PILOT STUDY

This study focuses on acknowledging and amplifying the voices and experiences of the Mexican immigrant community in Northwest Iowa. To that end, the primary question this study answered was: “What is the experience of Mexican immigrants in Northwest Iowa?” Furthermore, this study focused on community, how Mexican immigrants understand it, when they do and do not experience it, and how they seek to create it. This study aimed to shed light on the unique experiences of this population and provide insights into better ways to support their well-being and integration among local communities.Through thematic analysis, this study found that Mexican immigrants in Northwest Iowa are pursuing employment opportunities and safety. Results found that immigrants define and experience community through relationships, shared values, and friendliness and that judgment, lack of documentation, and language differences are barriers Mexican immigrants face in experiencing community in Northwest Iowa. Lastly, this study identified suggestions that Mexican immigrants have for improved community building with the themes; “do not judge,” “be open-minded,” “follow the laws,” “we need to learn from one another,” and “accept that we are here to stay.”