Numerous studies have examined the effects of welfare reform on the employment and caseload dynamics of welfare recipients in California. Yet, despite their overrepresentation among welfare recipients, Southeast Asians have received relatively little scholarly attention. This study explores one explanation for this finding-the challenges of collecting data on Southeast Asian welfare recipients and, in particular, the difficulties associated with surveying this population group. These difficulties include attracting adequate funding to recruit sizeable Southeast Asian samples,; translating survey materials into Southeast Asian languages,; and effectively administering surveys among a highly mobile population group with low English language proficiency. To strengthen research on this important but understudied population group, researchers must build political and financial support for such research; develop appropriate research designs informed by an understanding of the characteristics of Southeast Asian families, communities, and welfare recipients; rely on refugee support organizations to help overcome resistance to participating in survey research; and make the data available to interested scholars to maximize the impact of these data collection efforts.

California is the destination for over one-quarter of immigrants tothe United States, and immigrants now make up over one-quarterof the state's population. To ensure that transportation systems andservices adequately meet the needs of recent immigrants, plannersneed a firm understanding of the travel behavior of immigrantgroups. This paper reports on key findings from a three-phasedstudy: (1) analysis of data on commute travel of California immigrantsfrom the 1980, 1990, and 2000 Censuses; (2) focus groups with recentMexican immigrants on their transportation experiences and needsin six California regions; and (3) interviews with community-basedorganizations in nine California regions on the transportationneeds and wants of Mexican immigrants. These findings point toa long list of potential strategies for agencies and organizations toconsider in efforts to more effectively meet the transportation needsof Mexican and other immigrants in California.

California is the destination for over one-quarter of immigrants to the United States, and immigrants now make up over one-quarter of the state’s population, with nearly half of immigrants originating in Mexico. To ensure that transportation systems and services adequately meet the needs of recent immigrants, planners need a firm understanding of the travel behavior of immigrant groups. This paper reports on key findings from a three-phased study: (1) analysis of data on commute travel of California immigrants from the 1980, 1990, and 2000 Censuses; (2) focus groups with recent Mexican immigrants in six California regions on their transportation experiences and needs in six California regions; and (3) interviews with community-based organizations in nine California regions on the transportation needs and wants of Mexican immigrants. Analysis shows that the car is the most important means of transportation for immigrants; nearly two-thirds of all immigrants use single occupancy vehicles as their primary commute mode, either as drivers or as passengers. However, a disproportionate share of immigrants, particularly those new to the US, commutes by public transit. Mexican immigrants report both advantages and disadvantages of driving and transit, while walking and bicycling help to fill gaps left by these other modes. These findings point to a long list of potential strategies for agencies and organizations to consider in efforts to more effectively meet the transportation needs of Mexican and other immigrants in California.