--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Being an immigrant is not a status but a…" description: "\"“Being an immigrant is not a status but a state of mind. It doesn’t stop when you “assimilate” or “integrate” or when you go from being an “outsider” t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc3/stewart-stafford-3104_assimilation_being-an-immigrant-is-not-a-status-but-a_46402.jpg" --- # Being an immigrant is not a status but a state of mind. It… ![“Being an immigrant is not a status but a state of mind. It doesn’t stop when you “assimilate” or “integrate” or when you go from being an “outsider” to an “insider.” It is what you think of yourself. You only really stop being an immigrant when you reject other immigrants and try to slam the door…” quote by Stewart Stafford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc3/stewart-stafford-3104_assimilation_being-an-immigrant-is-not-a-status-but-a_46402.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc3/stewart-stafford-3104_assimilation_being-an-immigrant-is-not-a-status-but-a_46402.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc3/stewart-stafford-3104_assimilation_being-an-immigrant-is-not-a-status-but-a_46402.jpg) > ““Being an immigrant is not a status but a state of mind. It doesn’t stop when you “assimilate” or “integrate” or when you go from being an “outsider” to an “insider.” It is what you think of yourself. You only really stop being an immigrant when you reject other immigrants and try to slam the door in their faces when they try to emulate you.”” [Stewart Stafford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stewart-stafford/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Immigrant identity is a mental stance, not a legal label; it persists beyond assimilation and is defined by self‑perception and solidarity with others sharing that experience. **In simple terms:** Identity is mindset, not status. Key Takeaway Immigration is a personal, ongoing self‑definition. Themes Identity Belonging Solidarity Self‑perception Cultural integration Mood Reflective Empowering Hopeful Type Philosophical Social commentary Inspirational When to use this quote - When moving to a new country - During cultural assimilation - When facing discrimination - In diaspora communities - When mentoring newcomers Key Concepts Immigration Mindset Community In‑group vs out‑group dynamics Practical Applications - Designing inclusive workplace policies - Creating support networks for newcomers Questions to Reflect On - How does self‑identification affect integration outcomes? - What role does community play in sustaining immigrant identity? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Assimilation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assimilation/) [Immigrant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/immigrant/) [Immigrant Status](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/immigrant-status-678090/) [Immigrant-experience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/immigrant-experience/) [Immigrants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/immigrants/) [Immigration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/immigration/) [Insiders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/insiders/) [Integration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/integration/) [Outsiders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/outsiders/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Refugees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/refugees/) [Reject Immigrants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reject-immigrants-678091/) [State of mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/state-of-mind/) [Stop Assimilate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stop-assimilate-678088/) [Stop Immigrant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stop-immigrant-678089/) ## Related quotes > [“I have seen them stagger out of their movie palaces and blink their empty eyes in the face of reality once more, and stagger…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fante/i-have-seen-them-stagger-out-of-their-movie-palaces-and-blink-their/) [John Fante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fante/) > [“Fitting is a luxury rarely given to immigrants, or children of immigrants. We are stuck in emotional purgatory. Home, somehow, is always the last…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scaachi-koul/fitting-is-a-luxury-rarely-given-to-immigrants-or-children-of/) [Scaachi Koul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scaachi-koul/) > [I am in between. Trying to write to be understood by those who matter to me, yet also trying to push my mind with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergio-troncoso/i-am-in-between-trying-to-write-to-be-understood-by-those-who-matter/) [Sergio Troncoso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergio-troncoso/) > [“We wanted a labour force, but human beings came.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-hayes/we-wanted-a-labour-force-but-human-beings-came/) [Terry Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-hayes/) > [“I hated seeing these spasmodic upside-down chicken heads stretching to puncture my flesh. I imagined once that they reached my groin and pecked out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergio-troncoso/i-hated-seeing-these-spasmodic-upside-down-chicken-heads-stretching/) [Sergio Troncoso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergio-troncoso/) > [ “Going out on a date was very cheap in those days \[1962\]. I borrowed my father's station wagon, put in a gallon of gas… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aslan-ben-eliahou/going-out-on-a-date-was-very-cheap-in-those-days-1962-i-borrowed-my/) [Aslan Ben Eliahou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aslan-ben-eliahou/) > [“Immigrant parents, when they first move to North America, push towards whiteness, towards assimilation, to survive and thrive. Naturally, their children do too for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scaachi-koul/immigrant-parents-when-they-first-move-to-north-america-push-towards/) [Scaachi Koul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scaachi-koul/) > [“Bela had thought she knew what love felt like, but when she saw Sanjay at the airport after six long months, her heart gave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chitra-banerjee-divakaruni/bela-had-thought-she-knew-what-love-felt-like-but-when-she-saw-sanjay/) [Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chitra-banerjee-divakaruni/) > [“The gaping hole in her heart is amplified when she catches a glimpse of the strands of silver hair framing her once young face…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raquel-cepeda/the-gaping-hole-in-her-heart-is-amplified-when-she-catches-a-glimpse/) [Raquel Cepeda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raquel-cepeda/) > [“In quantum physics, particles change when they’re observed. But this isn’t quantum: my book doesn’t alter by being seen or unseen. It is exceptional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-lucia-kanter-st-amour/in-quantum-physics-particles-change-when-they-re-observed-but-this/) [S. Lucia Kanter St. Amour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-lucia-kanter-st-amour/) > [“I made many decisions, some awful and others brilliant, but I found ways to keep that openness in my soul that meant more to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergio-troncoso/i-made-many-decisions-some-awful-and-others-brilliant-but-i-found/) [Sergio Troncoso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergio-troncoso/) > [“In some ways, I think that part of what I'm trying to accomplish, whether Amá really understands it or not, is to live for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erika-l-s-nchez/in-some-ways-i-think-that-part-of-what-i-m-trying-to-accomplish/) [Erika L. Sánchez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erika-l-s-nchez/) > [“Again, this week as I walked on Broadway, in front of giant photographs of voluptuous supermodels at a Victoria Secret mega-store, who was rebuilding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergio-troncoso/again-this-week-as-i-walked-on-broadway-in-front-of-giant-photographs/) [Sergio Troncoso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergio-troncoso/) > [“It’s a great honor, m’ijo. We know that. I’m sure everyone in Ysleta is proud of you. But this is who you are," she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergio-troncoso/it-s-a-great-honor-m-ijo-we-know-that-i-m-sure-everyone-in-ysleta-is/) [Sergio Troncoso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergio-troncoso/) > [“Ebb and flow, ebb and flow, our lives. Is that why we're fascinated by the steadfastness of stars? The water reaches my calves. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chitra-banerjee-divakaruni/ebb-and-flow-ebb-and-flow-our-lives-is-that-why-we-re-fascinated-by/) [Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chitra-banerjee-divakaruni/) ## More by Stewart Stafford > [“If an artist can occupy the void of artistry while simultaneously parodying its iconography, they can have their metaphorical cake and cannibalise its crumbs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stewart-stafford/if-an-artist-can-occupy-the-void-of-artistry-while-simultaneously/) [Stewart Stafford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stewart-stafford/) > [“Leaches Ten Tall by Stewart Stafford Don't play this game with me, Predatory whelk of tide pools, Taint me as Rigoletto to a bawd,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stewart-stafford/leaches-ten-tall-by-stewart-stafford-don-t-play-this-game-with-me/) [Stewart Stafford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stewart-stafford/) > [“Pathological liars lie most often to themselves about their ability to fool others. They think they're geniuses at it when most people see through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stewart-stafford/pathological-liars-lie-most-often-to-themselves-about-their-ability/) [Stewart Stafford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stewart-stafford/) > [“I've been 21 for many years now.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stewart-stafford/i-ve-been-21-for-many-years-now/) [Stewart Stafford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stewart-stafford/) > [“For even in the pit of darkness, the beacon of humanity can always shine through.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stewart-stafford/for-even-in-the-pit-of-darkness-the-beacon-of-humanity-can-always/) [Stewart Stafford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stewart-stafford/) > [“Season's Greetings by Stewart Stafford Season's Greetings To those we are needing, While I am leading The Festive charge. Christmas love is fleeting, The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stewart-stafford/season-s-greetings-by-stewart-stafford-season-s-greetings-to-those-we/) [Stewart Stafford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stewart-stafford/) > [“If anyone ever reported my death incorrectly, I'd confirm it was true on Twitter and that I was tweeting through a Ouija board.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stewart-stafford/if-anyone-ever-reported-my-death-incorrectly-i-d-confirm-it-was-true/) [Stewart Stafford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stewart-stafford/) > [“Fortunately, most of our vital physiological functions are involuntary, as some amongst us would forget them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stewart-stafford/fortunately-most-of-our-vital-physiological-functions-are-involuntary/) [Stewart Stafford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stewart-stafford/) > [“Life is an endless trial and death its certain verdict, but there are many recesses to enjoy before then.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stewart-stafford/life-is-an-endless-trial-and-death-its-certain-verdict-but-there-are/) [Stewart Stafford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stewart-stafford/) > [“The problem with 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend,' is that once the common enemy is gone, you usually end up fighting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stewart-stafford/the-problem-with-the-enemy-of-my-enemy-is-my-friend-is-that-once-the/) [Stewart Stafford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stewart-stafford/) > [“The bravest thing David Bowie ever did was to go on stage after Queen at Live Aid.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stewart-stafford/the-bravest-thing-david-bowie-ever-did-was-to-go-on-stage-after-queen/) [Stewart Stafford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stewart-stafford/) > [“In icy footsteps do actors tread in moonlight's chill, In crystalline depth, The players set, To entertain and do no ill. © Stewart Stafford,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stewart-stafford/in-icy-footsteps-do-actors-tread-in-moonlight-s-chill-in-crystalline/) [Stewart Stafford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stewart-stafford/) > [“Death is not the villain of the piece. It is the next phase of life in unfamiliar clothing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stewart-stafford/death-is-not-the-villain-of-the-piece-it-is-the-next-phase-of-life-in/) [Stewart Stafford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stewart-stafford/) > [“An internet minute is the apparent nanosecond it takes for a breaking news story to be dubbed fake and/or a conspiracy on social media.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stewart-stafford/an-internet-minute-is-the-apparent-nanosecond-it-takes-for-a-breaking/) [Stewart Stafford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stewart-stafford/) > [“Heavenly Fire by Stewart Stafford The Stygian hole of abandon, Overlaid with a sentry 's cloak, Now unmasked eyes can see, Perforations in astral…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stewart-stafford/heavenly-fire-by-stewart-stafford-the-stygian-hole-of-abandon/) [Stewart Stafford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stewart-stafford/) [Explore all 139 Stewart Stafford quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stewart-stafford/) ## More Assimilation quotes > [“The Portland school board's policy equated integration and racial assimilation. This policy, Rist explains, is a "means of socializing nonwhite students to act, speak,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derrick-bell/the-portland-school-board-s-policy-equated-integration-and-racial/) [Derrick Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derrick-bell/) > [Great genius takes shape by contact with another great genius, but, less by assimilation than by friction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinrich-heine/great-genius-takes-shape-by-contact-with-another-great-genius-but/) [Heinrich Heine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinrich-heine/) > [ “\[I\]nclusion, not assimilation, should be the key concept in seeking, ever seeking, a more perfect national union. Our own history has shown that we… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-rather/i-nclusion-not-assimilation-should-be-the-key-concept-in-seeking-ever/) [Dan Rather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-rather/) > [“It's a fact— everyone is ignorant in some way or another. Ignorance is our deepest secret. And it is one of the scariest things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-nazarian/it-s-a-fact-everyone-is-ignorant-in-some-way-or-another-ignorance-is/) [Vera Nazarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-nazarian/) > [“Fuck I hate fucks Who think they’re so fucking great They know everything about fucking, When they’re just fucking fucks fucking! And no one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/initially-no/fuck-i-hate-fucks-who-think-they-re-so-fucking-great-they-know/) [Initially NO](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/initially-no/) > [Jewish history turns out not to be an either/or story - as in, either pure Judaism detached from its surroundings or else assimilation -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-schama/jewish-history-turns-out-not-to-be-an-either-or-story-as-in-either/) [Simon Schama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-schama/) > [“It’s a great honor, m’ijo. We know that. I’m sure everyone in Ysleta is proud of you. But this is who you are," she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergio-troncoso/it-s-a-great-honor-m-ijo-we-know-that-i-m-sure-everyone-in-ysleta-is/) [Sergio Troncoso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergio-troncoso/) > [Intellectual life requires for its expansion and manifestation the influences and assimilation of the interests and affections of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-addams/intellectual-life-requires-for-its-expansion-and-manifestation-the/) [Jane Addams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-addams/) > [“Does assimilation mean that they never came up against naked prejudice? Does it mean that you understood where the limits of your social world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-de-waal/does-assimilation-mean-that-they-never-came-up-against-naked/) [Edmund de Waal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-de-waal/) > [Knowledge is a free good. The biggest cost in its transmission is not in the production or distribution of knowledge, but in its assimilation.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-arrow/knowledge-is-a-free-good-the-biggest-cost-in-its-transmission-is-not/) [Kenneth Arrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-arrow/) > [“If you aren't destroying your enemies, it's because you have been conquered and assimilated, you do not even have an idea of who your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bangambiki-habyarimana/if-you-aren-t-destroying-your-enemies-it-s-because-you-have-been/) [Bangambiki Habyarimana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bangambiki-habyarimana/) > [Finally it should be the earnest wish and paramount aim of the military administration to win the confidence, respect, and affection of the inhabitants…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-mckinley/finally-it-should-be-the-earnest-wish-and-paramount-aim-of-the/) [William McKinley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-mckinley/) > [If you would be a writer, first be a reader. Only through the assimilation of ideas, thoughts and philosophies can one begin to focus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allan-w-eckert/if-you-would-be-a-writer-first-be-a-reader-only-through-the/) [Allan W. Eckert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allan-w-eckert/) > [We must have life building, man-making, character-making assimilation of ideas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/we-must-have-life-building-man-making-character-making-assimilation/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Chakras are organizational centers for the reception, assimilation, and transmission of life-force energy. They are the stepping stones between heaven and earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anodea-judith/chakras-are-organizational-centers-for-the-reception-assimilation-and/) [Anodea Judith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anodea-judith/) [Browse all 141 Assimilation quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assimilation/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Being an immigrant is not a status but a state of mind. It doesn’t stop when you “assimilate” or “integrate” or when you go from being an “outsider” to an “insider.” It is what you think of yourself. 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