Immigration

Definitions

• Migration – process of moving from one place to another to live

• Immigrant – someone who comes to a new place to live

• Emigrant – someone who leaves a place to live somewhere else

• Example: Pedro emigrated from Spain. Pedro immigrated to France.

Types

• Long-term – at least 12 months (usually for permanent residence)

• Short-term – at least 3 months (usually for seasonal work)

• Migration does not include:– Vacations – Business trips– Visiting friends/relatives – Medical trips– Student visas/exchange – Religious pilgrimages

Reasons

• Push & Pull factors– Economic

• Jobs, pay, quality of life, poverty, population growth/decline, available land

– Cultural• Family, marriage, crime, education• Forced – slavery, war, persecution, dictatorships, genocide• Refugees – forced out & cannot return; must be admitted to

another country

– Environmental• Climate, water, natural disasters, disease

• Usually travel short distances

Typical Migrant

• Male• Young• Travel without kids• Family will join later

• Increase in number of women and children migrating from Mexico to U.S.

Where do they go?

• Most immigrants to U.S. come from Latin America (Mexico, Central America, Caribbean) or Asia (China, India, Vietnam)– From Mexico – to border states (TX, CA, AZ)– From Cuba – to FL– From Puerto Rico – to NY– From Asia – to CA or NY

• Chain migration – typically settle near others in family or from same country

U.S. Immigration History

• 1600-1840– 2 million Europeans (mostly Great Britain)– 650,000 Africans (slavery)

• 1840-1870 (N & W Europe)– Up to 250,000 per year– Mostly from Ireland & Germany

• 1870-1900 (N & W Europe)– Up to 500,000 per year– Mostly from Ireland, Germany, Norway, Sweden

U.S. Immigration History

• 1900-1930 (S & E Europe)– Up to 1 million per year– Mostly from Italy, Russia, Austria-Hungary

• 1950-2000– 7 million total from Asia– 13 million total from Latin America

• U.S. has changed – no longer booming economically or filled with lots of cheap farmland

Undocumented Immigrants

• Desire for immigration > amount allowed• Estimated 11.7 million illegal immigrants (2013) – 6 million

from Mexico• 400,000 deportations per year since 2009• About 8 million are employed

– Farming, cleaning, construction, food service• Methods

– Enter legally as worker, student, tourist & don’t leave– Slip across border

• U.S.-Mexico border is 2,000 miles long• Often purchase forged documents

Current Quotas

• Quota (maximum limit) of 675,000 immigrants per year, excluding refugees– 480,000 limit for family reunification– 140,000 limit for permanent employment• Priority given to talented, educated, skilled, or wealthy

• Temporary/seasonal workers are not included but may have a separate quota

• Refugee quota at 70,000

• http://www.immigrationpolicy.org/just-facts/how-united-states-immigration-system-works-fact-sheet

Definitions

• Citizen – a person owing loyalty to and entitled by birth or naturalization the protection and rights of a state or nation

• Legal Permanent Resident – a person with documented permission to live in a state or country

• Naturalization – the process of becoming a citizen

How do you become a citizen?

• Birthright– Born in the U.S., its territories, or on a U.S. public

vessel (such as a ship)– Born to a U.S. citizen in another country• Both parents are citizens and 1 has lived in U.S. before• 1 parent is a citizen and lived in U.S. for at least 10

years, with 5 continuous years between age 14-28

How do you become a citizen?

• Naturalization– At least 18 years old– Legal Permanent Resident for at least 5 years (4 if refugee, 3 if

married to citizen)– Good moral character– Demonstrate ideals of Constitution– Able to read, write, speak, understand English– Basic knowledge of U.S. history, government, principles– Swear oath of allegiance– Pass a citizenship test

• Granted by act of Congress (new territory)• Children under 16 automatic if both parents are naturalized

2008 Redesigned Citizenship Test

• Civics Test – Asked 10 questions (out of 100 possible)– 60% correct or better– American Government– Integrated Civics– American History

• English Test– Oral (speaking)– Reading– Writing