1. Immigration

2. Immigration Today Our first wave of immigration early last century was mainly from European countries. New and increasing rates of immigration to the Unites States has been taking place from many diverse countries, especially Asian and Latin American countries.

3. Why do people Immigrate? There are many reasons why people chose to leave their country and come to the United States. The primary reasons include: Political Freedom Economic Opportunity

4. How have Asian and Hispanic immigrants influenced American society and culture? Bilingual education and English as a second language courses in the high school Politics and Voting

5. Cuban Immigrants For many Cubans, reaching U.S. soil is highly desired. Living in a socialist country under the dictatorship of Fidel Castro and now Raul Castro has brought about more equality but it has also limited many others. Many individuals seek political freedom and a democratic form of government. Some Cubans also seek to live in a land of capitalism where there are fewer restrictions placed on individuals and more opportunities.

6. Cuban Immigrants Individuals living in Cuba who are against the Castro regime are not free to express themselves and their lives may be threatened if they dare to speak out or to assemble anti- Castro groups in their homeland.

7. Cuban Immigrants Many Cubans have family already in the United States, and are looking to join them. Sometimes they turn to smugglers, who can charge thousands of dollars, or they may resort to making homemade boats and even rafts for the 90 mile journey from Cuba to Florida. Others fly to another country such as Mexico, and try to enter the United States from another border. The journey to the United States is often dangerous. Unfortunately, children and adults sometimes end up losing their lives in their efforts to reach American soil.

8. Facts about Immigration Today An analysis of Census Bureau data shows that the nation's foreign-born or immigrant population (legal and illegal) reached a new record of more than 35 million in March of 2005. The data also indicate that the first half of this decade has been the highest five-year period of immigration in American history. The 35.2 million immigrants (legal and illegal) living in the country in March 2005 is the highest number ever recorded -- two and a half times the 13.5 million during the peak of the last great immigration wave in 1910.

9. Facts about Immigration Between January 2000 and March 2005, 7.9 million new immigrants (legal and illegal) settled in the country, making it the highest five-year period of immigration in American history. Nearly half of post-2000 arrivals (3.7 million) are estimated to be illegal aliens. Immigrants account for 12.1 percent of the total population, the highest percentage in eight decades. If current trends continue, within a decade it will surpass the high of 14.7 percent reached in 1910. States with the largest increase in immigrants are California, Texas Georgia, New Jersey, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Washington, Virginia, Arizona, Tennessee, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, South Carolina, and Mississippi.

10. Struggles of Immigrants The poverty rate for immigrants and their U.S.-born children (under 18) is 18.4 percent, 57 percent higher than the 11.7 percent for natives and their children. Immigrants and their minor children account for almost one in four persons living in poverty. One-third of immigrants lack health insurance -- two-and- one ‑ half times the rate for natives. Immigrants and their U.S. ‑ born children account for almost three-fourths (nine million) of the increase in the uninsured population since 1989. The low educational attainment of many immigrants and resulting low wages are the primary reasons so many live in poverty, use welfare programs, or lack health insurance, not their legal status or an unwillingness to work.

11. The Good News Immigrants make significant economic progress the longer they live in the United States Immigrants and natives exhibit remarkably similar rates of entrepreneurship, with 13 percent of natives and 11 percent of immigrants self ‑ employed.

12. The Good News… Contribution of immigrants have included ethnic food, music and the arts Their participation in our labor force has fostered economic growth and expansion in our county.