Immigration GOVT 2305, Module 1

Immigration and Population Growth What two factors account for population growth? Natural increase (births over deaths) and net immigration Without immigration, the United States is Japan.

Immigration by Decade World War II What happened here?

Immigrant Population Most immigrants are in the country legally.

To qualify for refugee status, you must be able to show two things: You are unable or unwilling to return to your home country because you have been persecuted there in the past or have a well-founded fear that you will be persecuted if you go back. The reason you have been (or will be) persecuted is connected to one of five things: your race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or your political opinion. Immigrant Population

Origins of Immigrants

Mexicans in the United States More than 10 percent of the population of Mexico is living in the United States.

Distribution of Undocumented

Rate of Inflow Why did the inflow decrease in 2008-2009? The economic downturn reduced job opportunities in the United States.

Border Security The militarization of the southern border has had an unintended effect on unauthorized immigration. For decades, workers crossed back and forth over the southern border. When the United States cracked down on unauthorized immigration, foreign workers moved their families to the United States and stayed rather than risk capture and deportation.

Illegal Immigration is Family Immigration

Deportations

Agree or Disagree? Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “The growing number of newcomers threatens traditional American values.”

Donald Trump voters. Note the close division. Note the racial differences. Note the age difference Note the party division Who are these folks? Donald Trump voters.

What We Have Learned How important is immigration to U.S. population growth? Has immigration to the United States increased, decreased, or held steady? What is the relative importance of legal residence, naturalized citizens, undocumented residents, and refugees in the foreign-born population? What are the most important countries of origin for immigrants? Have immigration patterns changed over the years? If so, how? How do attitudes about immigration vary among different groups of Americans?