Abstract
Problem. The design and implementation of migration policy at the state and national level is evolving thus yielding different policy responses. The state’s response to newcomers is impacted by the agenda set forth by local and federal level policymakers, the national mood, presidential determinations, economic fluctuations, and transnational events. Because of this, socioeconomic indicators woven into these policies drive the degree of social inclusion.Purpose. The purpose of this study was to design a policy framework that analyzes California’s enacted policy against the backdrop of the last four presidential administrations. The vast field of changing migration policy calls for a study of the inclusivity of refugees and migrants. The social inclusion indicators, such as access to education, employment rights, and health, are selected to measure the social and economic potential of policies.
Methodology. This study conducted a qualitative content analysis using secondary data to assess enacted policies impacting the social inclusion of migrants and refugees in California. State level policies are categorized and coded using a text-based analytic software. Then within a descriptive policy framework, the last four presidential administrations are analyzed.
Theoretical Framework. A number of relevant theories were selected to inform this study. Most prominently, the punctuated equilibria theory, the advocacy coalition theory, and Ponic and Frisby (2010, as cited in Forde et al., 2014) social inclusion theory guided the study.