Adolescents and Young Adults in the Age of Migration

Immigrants in US Almost 30 percent of the more than 68 million young adults aged eighteen to thirty-four in the United States today are either foreign born or of foreign parentage First generation most-educated (Indians) least-educated (Mexicans) lowest poverty rate (Filipinos) highest poverty rate (Dominicans).

Reflect three very different ways of entering this country through regular immigration channels Without legal authorization Blocks mobility state-sponsored refugees.

Young and immigrant These immigrant flows consist primarily of young adults and their children. second generation—the U.S.-born children of the immigrants—has been growing rapidly differ greatly 90% of Whites and Blacks in US are native born, reverse for Hispanics and Asians. Lumping together conceals cultural variation

Diversity Of the 19 million first- and second-generation young adults between the ages of eighteen and thirty-four, more than half come from the Spanish-speaking countries of Latin America, 35 percent from Mexico. Salvadorans and Guatemalans together add 5 percent more, Puerto Ricans 4 percent Dominicans and Cubans 2 percent each.

Geography Most live in So. Cal, San Francisco, NYC Many want to support parents No pressure to leave home Sharing rooms Many provide monthly supplement to parents

Legal issues almost half of immigrant young adults, or nearly 6 million, are estimated to be unauthorized blocks access to the opportunity structure and paths to social mobility. failure by Congress to pass comprehensive federal immigration reforms. Hostility Unable to get licenses, etc Do not qualify for financial aid

DREAM Act vcxv failure by Congress to pass comprehensive federal immigration reforms.

Immigration Quiz

facts First generation was by far the least likely to live with their parents

Trends In 1970 only 4% of year olds in the US were foreign born.

Today Almost 30% are either foreign born or foreign parentage (second generation) and continued growth Immigrant population growing by 1 milllion a year, primarly from Latin America Mostly young adults and their children (44%)

Ethnic Diversity of Early Adulthood 150 countries classified as “Hispanic” or “Asian” Of the 20 million 1 st and 2 nd generation year olds: More than a 1/3 come from MEXICO Salvadorans and Guatemalans 5% Dominicans 2% Cubans2%

Asian Immigrants Filipinos, Chines, and Indians 4% each Vietnamese, Koreans 2% each

Immigrant Flow Undocumented laborers Professionals Refugees

Geography Many concentrated in Southern Californian NY, Miami

Ethnic Inequalities Most educated-F.G. Indians Least educated-F. G. Mexicans Highest Poverty-F.G. Dominicans Lowest Poverty F.G.-Filipinos

Generational Differences Prolonged transition (moving out, marriage)

8 th graders in 1988