1. Why are Latin Americans and Mexicans immigrating to the U.S.?
Global Immigration
Why are Latin Americans and Mexicans immigrating to the U.S.?

2. Primary Motivations for Migration
Economic
“Pulled” by Booming Economy
“Pushed” out by Depressed economies
Predominantly entering 2 sectors of the Economy: (Technology & Service)
Family Reunification
Seeking Asylum

3. Percentage of Foreign Born
Years
1880
1920
1960
1980
1990
2000
2006 %
Foreign Born
13.3%
5.4%
6.2%
8.6%
11.1%
12.5%
Percentage of Foreign Born By Region of Origin
1880
1920
1960
1980
1990
2000
2006
Europe
86.2%
85.7%
75%
39%
23%
16%
13.3%
Asia
1.6%
1.7%
5.1%
19.3%
26%
26.8%
Latin America
1.3%
4.2%
9.4%
33.1%
44%
52%
53.5%
Africa
--%
0.1%
.4%
1.5%
1.9%
2.8%
3.7%

4. Occupations 65.5% 75.5% 70.5% 56.5% 48.3% 41.7% 11.3% 34.9% In Labor
ASIA
AFRICA
LATIN
AMERICA
Europe
In Labor
Force
65.5%
75.5%
70.5%
56.5%
Have a
Bachelor’s degree
48.3%
41.7%
11.3%
34.9%

5. Today’s Immigrants
In 2007, according to the Census Bureau, 54% of the nation’s 38.1million foreign born came from Latin America
27% came from Asia
13% came from Europe
4% came from Africa
Most come from Mexico

6. Four Great Waves of Immigration
The first wave occurred in the 19th century--Irish and Italians (poor farmers/catholic)
A second Wave between ), 1/3 of Eastern Europe’s Jews left for U.S.
Third wave (early 1900’s)--more than a million immigrants passed through Ellis Island in New York and Angel Island in San Francisco.
Today, the U.S. is in the midst of its fourth great wave of immigration

7. Quotas
In 1920’s, Congress imposed quotas reducing the number of immigrants allowed in (preference to N. Europeans)
In 1965, the U.S. eliminated quotas, leading to an influx of Asian and Latin American immigrants
Indians are the best-educated newcomers 74% have bachelor’s degrees. Highest earners with a median income of $91,000.
Immigrants from Somalia and Dominican Republic have the lowest income ($47,000)

8. Immigrants are a significant, increasing percentage of the U. S
Immigrants are a significant, increasing percentage of the U.S. labor force growth
Immigrants constituted more than 50 percent of the overall growth in the labor force in the last decade.
Between 2000 and 2050, new immigrants and their children will account for 83 percent of the growth in the working-age population and 60 percent of total U.S. population growth.
By 2030, the percentage of the U.S. population over 65 will more than double, from over 12 to almost 20 percent, while the working-age and child population will shrink by 8 percent.
Eighty percent of immigrants are working age, compared to 60 percent of the native-born.

9. Immigration is stimulating growth in Asian-American and Latino businesses and buying power.
Between 1997 and 2002, the number of Asian-American businesses grew 24 percent, and Latino businesses grew 31 percent, compared to 10 percent growth for all U.S. firms.
Between 1990 and 2009, both Asian-American and Latino buying power will grow 347 percent, compared to a 158 percent increase in total U.S. buying power.
By 2009, Asian-Americans and Latinos are projected to total 20 percent of the population and command almost 14 percent of U.S. buying power.

10. Conclusion
Immigrants come to the United States to seek economic and educational opportunities
Most Americans today can trace their ancestry back to immigrants at some point.
Poverty and corruption push immigrants into other countries.
Despite our heritage as a nation of immigrants, Americans have often been wary about welcoming foreigners due to the “big question.”
“Do immigrants harm our society?”