Immigration Trends in Minnesota Barbara J. Ronningen State Demographic Center June 8, 2002

Who Immigrates? n Young people - most immigrants are young working-age adults n About half are female and half male n About 30% of immigrants return home EXCEPT for refugees n Refugees must prove that their lives are in danger in their homeland n In 2000, 69% of immigrants came to join family (family preference) n In 2000, 13% of immigrants came to work (employment preference) n In 2000, 8% of immigrants came as refugees

Immigration to U.S. Reflects Law Changes Source: Immigration and Naturalization Service IRCA passed in 1986

173,919

Source: Immigration and Naturalization Service Recent Immigration Trends in Minnesota Reflect Refugee Numbers

Source: Immigration and Naturalization Service Refugees Flock to Minnesota % of All Immigrants Who Are Refugees

Or Do They? Source: Immigration and Naturalization Service

Minnesota's Share of U.S. Immigration is Small But Proportion of Refugees is Higher Detailed data on refugees for 2000 is not yet available. Source: Immigration and Naturalization Service

Births to Mothers Born Outside U.S. Continue to Increase Source: MN Department of Health

Minority Student Numbers Increase to

One in Five Kindergarten Students is Minority Source: Department of Children, Families and Learning

Illegal Immigrant Numbers Small but Growing in Minnesota n In 1998, 1,800 illegal immigrants were deported from Minnesota, South Dakota and North Dakota. n 46% of those arrested in 1990 had committed a crime (other than working in the U.S. without appropriate papers). In 2001, the rate was almost 90%. n INS estimates about 6 to 11 million illegal immigrants resident in the U.S. with about 40% in California. n More than half of all illegal immigrants in U.S. are from Mexico. n 41% of illegal immigrants are undocumented "overstays."

Illegal Immigrant Arrests Focus on Criminal Involvement Source: Immigration and Naturalization Service

Most INS Arrests are Mexican Nationals St. Paul District n Mexico - 1,105 n Guatemala - 39 n El Salvador - 39 n Ecuador - 28 n Honduras - 28 n Somalia - 14 n Nigeria - 10 n Canada - 9 n Liberia - 9

For More Data on Immigration n Wilder Foundation report on immigration: reports.html?summary=89 n Immigration and Naturalization Service: n State Demographic Center n H.A.C.E.R. (University of Minnesota) n Chicano Latino Affairs Council (C.L.A.C.)