The Centre for the Study of Democratic Citizenship presents :

Against the Tide: Immigrant Agency and the Transformation of Local Politics
Janelle Wong (University of Maryland, College Park, MD., U.S.A.)

When : February 13, 2026, (3 – 4:30 p.m.)
Where : Thomson House – Boardroom, 3650 R McTavish, Montréal, QC H3A 1X1

Dr. Wong will present findings from two ongoing projects that challenge prevailing assumptions about immigrant political participation.

The first project investigates the drivers behind the rightward shift among immigrant voters of color. Despite historical Democratic leanings, Asian American and Latino voters demonstrated a notable increase in support for Donald Trump between 2016 and 2020 and again between 2020 and 2024. Focusing on the U.S. jurisdictions of Chicago, Illinois, and Montgomery County, Maryland, this study analyzes the “narrative frames” deployed among immigrants in local conflicts over hot-button issues like asylee resettlement and bans on books with LGBT content. The study illuminates the underlying forces fueling hyper-local conservative mobilizations, including in Democratic strongholds, with important implications for U.S. national politics.

The second project examines the “Modern Suffarage Movement” through the unique lens of local resident voting rights in Maryland, where 16 municipalities currently allow noncitizens to vote in local elections. By interviewing immigrants, community leaders, and election officials, we show how local voting rights build resilience and engagement despite national anti-immigrant policies.

Together, these projects highlight how immigrant communities are actively participating in politics in ways that defy expectations.

The Centre for the Study of Democratic Citizenship is funded by the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Société et culture (FRQSC).