1. Immigration Trends in Minnesota
Barbara J. Ronningen
State Demographic Center
July 21, 2003

2. Who Immigrates?
Young people - most immigrants are young working-age adults
About half are female and half male
About 30% of immigrants return home EXCEPT for refugees
Refugees must prove that their lives are in danger in their homeland
In 2002, 63% of immigrants came to join family (family preference)
In 2002, 16% of immigrants came to work (employment preference)
In 2002, 12% of immigrants came as refugees

3. The distribution of immigrants within the various legal preferences changes with Congressional action. For example, the number of H-1B visas was increased significantly in 2000.
Family based immigration = 480,000/yr.
Employment ased immigration = 140,000.
Refugee numbers are determined each year by the President and the Congress. There is no limit on the number of people granted asylum each year. But only 10,000 asylees are permitted to become lawful permanent residents in any year.

4. In 2001, 206,426 legal immigrants came from Mexico; 70,290 from India; 56,426 from China; 53,154 from the Philipines; 35,531 from Vietnam; 31,272 from El Salvador; 27,703 from Cuba; 27,120 from Haiti; 23,640 from Bosnia-Herzegovina; 21,933 from Canada; 21,313 from Dominican Republic; 20,975 from the Ukraine; 20,742 from Korea; 20,413 from Russia; 19,896 from Nicaragua; 18,436 from the United Kingdom; 16,730 from Colombia; 16,448 from Pakistan; 15,393 from Jamaica; 13,567 from Guatemala.

5. 40% of Immigrants Come from North America* 25% from Mexico
U.S through 2000
In 2001, 206,426 immigrants were born in Mexico, 21,933 were born in Canada, 103,546 were born in Caribbean countries and 75,914 were born in Central American countries - or 38.3% of all immigrants.
Source: Immigration and Naturalization Service
*North America includes Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean nations and Central America.

6. We're Number 1! Largest population of Somali immigrants
Highest proportion of refugees
Second highest population of Hmong
Highest number coming for the winter

7. Recent Immigration Trends in Minnesota Reflect Refugee Numbers
Minnesota ranked 19th out of 50 states in 2001 for total legal immigrants.
Source: Immigration and Naturalization Service

8. Leading sources of immigrants in 2001 were India (795), Somalia (783), Mexico (772),China, People's Republic (643), Vietnam (637).
The top seven destinations (states) for Somalis are (1999 and 2000): Minnesota 1,009, Georgia 519, Washington 284, California 263, Missouri 217, Michigan 194, Ohio 189.

10. Politics Likely Cause of Change in Origin of Orphans
The attitude of governments towards adoption of orphans by U.S. nationals can change the distribution of country of birth for orphans adopted by U.S. families. Between 1994 and 2000, the number of orphans coming to the U.S. from South America dropped dramatically, while at the same time the numbers coming from Europe rose sharply.
Source: Immigration and Naturalization Service

11. In Clearwater, Lyon, Mahnomen, Nobles, Ramsey and Watonwan counties, minority population growth was greater than 200% of total population growth.

12. Traditionally, areas in north central Minnesota have had a higher proportion of minorities in their population (primarily American Indian). But note the high proportions in other greater Minnesota counties especially Nobles and Watonwan.

13. Foreign born residents include all persons born outside the U. S
Foreign born residents include all persons born outside the U.S. of non-U.S. citizens. Arrival in the U.S. could have been at any time, not just the last decade.

14. Minnesota in 2000 Census Is a Patchwork Quilt of Ethnicities
AFRICAN
LATINO
Ethiopian
5,413
Cuban
2,527
Liberian
3,148
Guatemalan
1,684
Nigerian
3,073
Mexican
95,613
Somali
11,164
Puerto Rican
6,616
Salvadoran
2,005
ASIAN
Arab
13,923
EUROPEAN
Afghan
467
Serbian
4,296
Asian Indian
19,963
Bosnian
2,193
Data on ethnicity and race is found in several tables in Census data. For Asian and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, we have detailed race giving numbers by Asian or Hispanic origin. For African, Arab and some European immigrants, we have ancestry data. There is not category for Bosnians in the 2000 Census.
Cambodian
6,533
Chinese
18,622
Filipino
9,696
Hmong
45,443
Korean
15,255
Laotian
11,516
Vietnamese
20,570

19. Nobles County had the highest proportion of foreign born workers in 1999, followed by Ramsey County (10.29%), Hennepin County (10.19%), Dakota County (5.52%), Koochiching County (5.48%), and Lyon County (4.34%).

20. In Minnesota in 2000, there were 67,452 births and 9,223 to non-U. S
In Minnesota in 2000, there were 67,452 births and 9,223 to non-U.S. mothers. Mexico 2,229 Laos 1,180 Somalia Vietnam Thailand India
The proportion born to Laotian born mothers has remained constant. However, more Hmong mothers now are U.S. born.

21. Nobles Co %
Ramsey Co %
Hennepin Co %
Watonwan Co %
Olmsted County %

22. Minority Student Numbers Increaseto

23. Non-English Speakers Triple in 8 Years
Source: DCFL
The number of children in Minnesota's schools who do not speak English at home has risen sharply in recent years - 21,277 in compared with 69,618 in , or an increase of 52%. While enrollments have declined slightly in recent years, the number of children speaking languages other than English has continued to grow.

25. This data reflects children who speak a language other than English at home. Not all of these children need English language instruction, however.

26. These numbers are for the entire St
These numbers are for the entire St. Paul District which includes Minnesota, South Dakota and North Dakota. The vast majority of arrests are in Minnesota. The Deputy Director of the St. Paul District estimates that with sufficient resources, district personnel could make 10,000 arrests of illegal immigrants, but the proportion criminally involved would be less than 50% - similar to the situation in 1990.
The increased number of arrests are indicative of the expanding number of immigrants - both legal and illegal - in Minnesota.

27. Most INS Arrests are Mexican Nationals
St. Paul District
Mexico ,105
Guatemala
El Salvador
Ecuador
Honduras
Somalia
Nigeria
Canada
Liberia
The preponderance of Mexicans in this data reflects their presence in the population. It should not be construed as a greater propensity to commit crimes.

29. What Data is Available? INS Statistical Yearbook
MN Dept. of Health Refugee Data
MN Dept. of Health Birth Certificates
MN DCFL Language Spoken at Home Data
MN DCFL Ethnicity and Race Data
US Census Data on Race, Ethnicity, Ancestry, Foreign Born and Language

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

31. To download a copy of this
presentation, go to:
demography/Census2000.html
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