Population Trends

Historical and GlobalHistorical and GlobalPerspectives on Perspectives on

International International Migration to the U.S.Migration to the U.S.

Population Trends

Historical PerspectivesHistorical Perspectives

Population Trends

Source: www.ellisisland.org

•In 1790, African-Americans In 1790, African-Americans constituted 20% of the population.constituted 20% of the population.•The population of the U.S. The population of the U.S. contained considerable numbers of contained considerable numbers of American Indians but they were not American Indians but they were not enumerated in the census.enumerated in the census.•Perhaps 20-40% of the white Perhaps 20-40% of the white population was not of English origin.population was not of English origin.•Americans of English origin were Americans of English origin were concerned about too much ethnic concerned about too much ethnic diversity.diversity.Source: HirschmanSource: Hirschman

Population Trends

Source: www.ellisisland.org

In 1790 Congress passed the first In 1790 Congress passed the first Naturalization Act, which stipulated that Naturalization Act, which stipulated that "… any alien, being a free white person, "… any alien, being a free white person, may be admitted to become a citizen of may be admitted to become a citizen of the United States....the United States....

Population Trends

Source: www.ellisisland.org

After the War of 1812 After the War of 1812 immigration increased immigration increased and many arrived sick and many arrived sick or dying from the long or dying from the long journey. Congress journey. Congress responded with the responded with the Steerage Act of 1819, Steerage Act of 1819, detailed passenger detailed passenger records and more records and more humane conditions on humane conditions on board ships. board ships.

Population Trends

Source: www.ellisisland.org

In 1882 Congress In 1882 Congress passed the Chinese passed the Chinese Exclusion Act and in Exclusion Act and in 1907 America 1907 America entered into a entered into a "Gentlemen's "Gentlemen's Agreement" with Agreement" with Japan excluding Japan excluding Asian workers and Asian workers and preventing the preventing the reunification of reunification of families. families.

Population Trends

Source: www.ellisisland.org

The 1924 National Origins Act and the The 1924 National Origins Act and the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, sought overall limits on immigration, but sought overall limits on immigration, but strongly favored immigrants from Europe strongly favored immigrants from Europe over other regions of the world.over other regions of the world.

Population Trends

Source: www.ellisisland.org

The Immigration and The Immigration and Nationality Act Amendments Nationality Act Amendments of 1965 abolished the national of 1965 abolished the national origins quota system and origins quota system and replaced it with a seven-replaced it with a seven-category preference system. category preference system. The Immigration Reform and The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 granted Control Act of 1986 granted amnesty to illegal immigrants amnesty to illegal immigrants who had resided in the United who had resided in the United States for a certain period of States for a certain period of time.time.

Population Trends

Population Trends

Percentage Distribution of the U.S. Population, Percentage Distribution of the U.S. Population, Immigrant Generation and Resident in an Immigrant Generation and Resident in an Immigrant HouseholdImmigrant Household

Population TrendsPopulation Trends

The Number of Foreign-Born in the U.S. Is at an The Number of Foreign-Born in the U.S. Is at an All-Time High, but Their Share of the Total All-Time High, but Their Share of the Total Population is Still Below That of 1930.Population is Still Below That of 1930.

Foreign-born population, United States, 1850-2005 Foreign-born population, United States, 1850-2005

Source: U.S. Census Bureau.Source: U.S. Census Bureau.

Population Trends

At the end of 2005, about 900,000 adjustment-of-status applications were pending a decision.

Immigration to the U.S. between 1986 and 2005 Immigration to the U.S. between 1986 and 2005 has remained fairly stable after adjustments.has remained fairly stable after adjustments.

Source: www.ellisisland.org

Population Trends

Age Composition of the U.S. Population, by Age Composition of the U.S. Population, by Migration Generation, 2004Migration Generation, 2004

Population Trends

Source: www.migrationinformation.org

Types of ImmigrantsTypes of Immigrants

Population TrendsNatural Increase Still Accounts for Almost 60% of Natural Increase Still Accounts for Almost 60% of Population Growth in the U.S., but the Share From Population Growth in the U.S., but the Share From

International Migration Has Been Increasing.International Migration Has Been Increasing.Percent of U.S. population growth due to natural increase and net migration, 1980-2005 Percent of U.S. population growth due to natural increase and net migration, 1980-2005

Source: U.S. Census Bureau.

Population TrendsIn 1990, Almost Half of All U.S. Counties Had Less Than In 1990, Almost Half of All U.S. Counties Had Less Than 1% Foreign-Born, and Only One-Tenth Had 5% or More.1% Foreign-Born, and Only One-Tenth Had 5% or More.

Population Trends

By 2000, Only One-Fourth of U.S. Counties Had Less Than 1% Foreign-Born, and One in Five Had 5% or More.

Population Trends

Global PerspectivesGlobal Perspectives

Population Trends

Population of the United States Population of the United States by Age and Sex, 1900by Age and Sex, 1900

Population Trends

Population Trends

Population Trends

Population TrendsSources of Immigrants from Latin America, 1995 in ThousandsSources of Immigrants from Latin America, 1995 in Thousands

Population Trends

Sources of Immigrants from Asia, 1995 in ThousandsSources of Immigrants from Asia, 1995 in Thousands