1. University of Chicago, Center for International Studies
“Migration in America” adapted from “International Migration: Trends, Issues and Future Prospects”
Aaron Terrazas
Policy Analyst – Migration Policy Institute
Monday, June 27, 2011
University of Chicago, Center for International Studies

2. The number and share of immigrants in the United States has grown since 1970
40 million
(2010)
38 million
(2008)
13%
(2010)
14.8%
12.5%
(2008)
4.7%

3. How big is 40 million? Immigrants in the US 40 million Canada
Virginia
7.9 million
France
62.6 million
California
36.9 million
Texas
24.8 million
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2009; World Bank, World Development Indicators.

4. Children of immigrants...
Immigrants are ...
1 in 8 US residents
1 in 2 new workers in 1990s
Children of immigrants...
23% of all children in US
30% of all low-income children
84% are US citizens

5. Legal status of the foreign born
Unauthorized immigrants
(11.1 million) 28%
Legal temporary
migrants
(1.4 million) 4%
Legal permanent
residents (LPRs)
(12.4 million) 31%
Naturalized citizens
(14.6 million) 37%
39.4 million* foreign born in March 2009
* Includes estimate of undercounted immigrants
Source: Passel, Jeffery S., and D’Vera Cohn US Unauthorized Immigration Flows Are Down Sharply Since Mid-Decade. Washington, DC: Pew Hispanic Center.

6. The top countries of origin of recent immigrants are in Latin America and Asia
1960
2008
Source: US Census Bureau, 1960 Census; 2008 American Community Survey.

7. Over the past decade, immigration has evolved from a “5-state” to a national story

8. Children with immigrant parents: USA
(millions)
Source: Migration Policy Institute analysis of data from the 1990 and 2000 US Censuses and from the 2008 American Community Survey

9. Share of children with immigrant parents
Source: Migration Policy Institute analysis of data from the 1990 and 2000 US Censuses and from the 2008 American Community Survey

10. A third of adult immigrants lack a high school education
Source: MPI calculations from 2008 American Community Survey.

11. Highly Skilled Immigrants
in US Workforce,*
1 in 4 doctors
2 in 5 medical scientists
1 in 3 computer software engineers
1 in 5 computer programmers
1 in 5 postsecondary teachers
are immigrants
Notes: *Refers to persons in the civilian labor force, ages 25 and older.
Source: American Community Survey (pooled ).

12. Questions…
So what does all of this say about the face of immigration in America?
Are we still a “nation of immigrants?” Perhaps more than ever?
What does this mean for the definition of “American?” How does immigration affect that identity?
How do you see immigration in your community?

13. NY Times Interactive Map