First generation Azerbaijani immigrants in the United States: socio-cultural characteristics and identity issues

Abstract

The community of Azerbaijani immigrants in the United States, which is the subject of our proposed study, is a pretty recent phenomenon. Most Azerbaijani-Americans have immigrated to the United States mainly from Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia or Turkey. Azerbaijani immigration and integration in the United States have not been documented and studied thoroughly. There is no population survey that provides information of any kind on the attitudes and opinions of Azerbaijani Americans. Based on the survey conducted among sample of 103 Azerbaijani immigrants, this paper aims to provide the profile of the Azerbaijani community, socio-cultural characteristics, assess the immigrant’s identification with their native culture, ethnic attachment, as well as, their emotional ties to the homeland and level of integration in the United States.