100 Years of Hungarian Immigration to North America: Challenges and Opportunities for Research

Type of Abstract (select): Paper presentation

Abstract (max. 250 words):
The objective of this presentation is twofold. First, it offers a brief overview of the main trends and milestones in Hungarian immigration to North America in the past 100 years, apropos of the 100th anniversary of the Johnson-Reed Act in 2024 that significantly impacted Hungarian migration trajectories. It discusses the reasons behind the immigration quotas introduced, their impact on Hungarians, and future waves of immigration, while it also highlights inter-American implications of the restrictions introduced and the lessons learned from these. Second, reflecting on the events of the past 100 years, the presentation wishes to open the floor for a discussion on the directions research on Hungarian immigration to North America can go today, what some of the main opportunities and challenges are that scholars face, and what kind of projects and approaches may provide us with new insights into the past and present of Hungarian immigrants and contribute to the preservation of their heritage. As a case study, the presentation will also introduce a planned research project making use of a combination of traditional archival research, oral history and digital solutions that may hopefully be extended across North America in the future.


Brief Professional Bio (max. 100 words):
Balázs Venkovits is associate professor of American Studies and director of the Institute of English and American Studies, University of Debrecen. He earned his Ph.D. in 2014 and completed his habilitation in 2021. Among others, he is the recipient of OTKA (2022-26) and Jedlik (2013-14) grants, a JFK Research Fellowship (2013) and a Fulbright (2010-2011). His academic interests include travel writing studies, migration studies, US-Hungarian relations, and Hungarian immigration to North America. He has presented and published papers internationally in Hungary, Finland, the US, Canada, Mexico, Poland, the UK, and France