Paths to openness : immigrant background and attitudes toward immigrants

Using data from the World Values Survey (WVS) and European Values Survey (EVS) covering 92 countries (n ≈ 157,000), this study examines whether individuals with an immigrant background exhibit more accommodating attitudes toward immigrants than those without such roots. "Immigrant background" is measured by whether at least one parent was born outside the respondent's country of residence. "Accommodating of immigrants" is captured using three indicators: willingness to have immigrants / foreign workers as neighbors; assessment of immigrants' contribution to economic development; and trust in people of a different nationality. While the first two measures focus on "immigrants," the third homes in on "non-nationals," allowing for an assessment of whether attitudes toward immigrants-a highly politicized group-extend to the more neutral category of "non-nationals." Regression analyses indicate that individuals with an immigrant background are significantly more likely to express willingness to have immigrants as neighbors, to evaluate immigrants' economic contributions positively, and to trust non-nationals. These patterns are consistent with theories of social identity and intergroup contact, suggesting that shared backgrounds and transnational ties may foster in-group extension and greater openness toward immigrants.