Houston, one of the most diverse cities in the U.S., is home to a vibrant immigrant community, including many Black immigrants from Africa and the Caribbean. For these immigrants, adjusting to life in America involves more than just finding jobs and learning English.
One of their integration’s most significant and often overlooked aspects is understanding civic education and engagement. The journey toward becoming fully engaged citizens is layered, and for many, it is not just about fulfilling legal requirements; it’s about understanding their rights and responsibilities in a new country.
For Black immigrants in Houston, civic engagement begins with education about the American political system, learning the importance of voting, and recognizing their role in shaping policies that directly affect their communities.
For immigrants like Dr. John Udo, a Nigerian-born retired certified public accountant, becoming a U.S. citizen is of great significance when discussing the topic of democracy and the voting process. “I come from a country where your vote doesn’t matter. A place where corruption is embedded in the nation’s ecosystem. The lack of accountability and irresponsibility of Nigeria’s politicians has put its citizens in disarray,” he said. “Voting in the U.S. will be a different experience because you won’t feel like your life is in danger if you speak up against wrongdoing in politics or who you choose to vote for. This is a privilege that many overlook.”
After living in the U.S. for over 50 years, he became a citizen in July. Navigating civic education as an immigrant wasn’t as difficult for Udoh because he was an avid learner of history, acquired his college and post-education in Texas, and grew accustomed to the American way of life.
“I would say that I’ve been lucky, but many people who migrate here go through several challenges, and it’s important for people to connect with community resources to help guide them,” he said. “Many immigrants may not understand the citizenship requirements and the voting process, and they may face obstacles to naturalization. Fear and mistrust of the government can also deter immigrants from engaging in their civic duties.”
Various organizations are working to bridge the gap. The Haitian Diaspora Political Action Committee (HDPAC), for example, plays a key role in providing a voice for Haitian Americans in policy discussions on the federal level. The organization works to amplify the political voice of the Haitian American community, which, according to the U.S. Census, numbers over a million people. Many, however, believe this figure underrepresents the actual population.
Dorothy Dupuy, Vice President of HDPAC, says that is due to factors such as language barriers, lack of access to resources, and general unfamiliarity with the U.S. political system. The HDPAC partners with local organizations such as the Houston Haitian Union to target churches and other community events. She has also sent inquiries to the Harris County clerk’s office to file a petition for voter registration forms to be more accessible for French or Creole speakers.
“We’re creating avenues for political participation that didn’t exist before, and inclusion in this process matters,” she said. “It’s about creating a seat at the table. We want every Haitian American to know their vote matters.”
Luanda Cruz, an Afro-Cuban immigrant who emigrated from Cape Verde in 2016, will be preparing for the journey toward becoming a first-time voter in this year’s elections, which was a personal and powerful step toward shaping her life in the United States. Her journey to the U.S. was initially driven by economic struggles in Angola, where she lived and worked as a music teacher. In 2016, Cruz and her husband decided to move to the U.S., hoping to provide a better life for their family.
“It’s important to know why and what we’re voting for,” she said. “She believes that the policies immigrants vote for can change how they live and work in the U.S., particularly in areas like immigration law, visa restrictions, and family unification. “It can change everything.”
Cruz credits local organizations for helping immigrants understand the impact of their civic participation, especially at the local level. “People always focus on presidential elections, but I learned that local elections have the most direct impact on my day-to-day life.”
