One critical factor to consider beyond socioeconomic status is political
mobilization (Rosenstone and Hansen 1993; Verba, Schlozman and Brady 1995). Wong
(2003) argues that mobilization by community organizations may be especially important
for understanding the political participation of a non-white, predominantly immigrant
group like Asian Pacific Americans. First, though they are less often the targets of
mobilization compared to non-Latino whites (Wong 2003; Leighley 2001; Frymer 1999;
de la Garza, Menchaca, and DeSipio 1994; Hardy-Fanta 1993), studies also show that
mobilization efforts directed toward other racial minority groups, such as blacks and
Latinos, are likely to have a very positive effect on political participation (Leighley
2001).
Second, mobilization is likely to play an important role in the political
mobilization a majority immigrant group like Asian Pacific Americans. Along with
political party organizations, community-based, indigenous organizations like churches,
labor unions, and ethnic voluntary associations have long been active in mobilizing older
waves of immigrants from Europe and other parts of the world towards participation in
politics (Sterne 2001; Lin 2000; Skerry 1993). A similar constellation of organizations,
including 1) religious organizations, 2) labor groups, 3) community-based non-profit
organizations (such as legal centers and social service organizations), and 4) ethnic
voluntary associations, is critical for understanding the political incorporation of
immigrant groups today, including many Asian Pacific Americans (Wong 2003).
Local party organizations, cast as critical institutions for the political
incorporation of European immigrants in the past, do not mobilize contemporary
immigrants in a consistent or committed fashion today. Lack of mobilization by political
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Convention