Immigrants are foreigners who move from one country to another for a variety of reasons. These may include financial betterment, education, or even searching for a more stable life. While immigrants usually settle permanently in their new home, they may also move back to their home country at any time.
Regardless of why they are moving, these people deserve respect. The United States has been a destination for millions of people seeking a better quality of life. This is due in large part to the energy brought by immigrants. Some of the largest immigrant populations are in California, Texas, and Florida. In 2017, these areas had the largest percentages of foreign-born residents.
Immigrants were responsible for a substantial portion of the workforce. They account for over one-quarter of all workers in computer sciences, farming, and social assistance. Many immigrants are first-generation in their new country. Their education levels are typically lower than U.S.-born citizens, and a small percentage of immigrants do not speak English well.
As of January 2018, the United States had a total foreign-born population of 44.8 million. Immigrants accounted for 13.7% of the population. The largest origin group was Mexico, followed by China and India. A third of the nation’s immigrants came from El Salvador and the Philippines.
The United States has been a hotbed of migration since the 17th century. After World War II, immigration became a major issue. Refugees, as well as immigrants from former colonial areas, came to the United States for a variety of reasons. For instance, many refugees were forced to flee their homes as a result of natural disasters and persecution.
One of the primary sources of information about the immigrant population is the Current Population Survey. Every month, the Census Bureau conducts a survey to measure the total number of foreign-born and U.S.-born populations. It is weighted to reflect the total population by race, sex, and age. However, some segments of the population are not included in the survey.
While a majority of immigrants are legal, there are also many undocumented immigrants. According to the Pew Research Center, approximately 11 million immigrants are undocumented. Undocumented immigrants are subject to a great deal of stigma. People are sometimes denied housing, employment, and educational opportunities because of their illegal status.
In November 2021, the immigrant population was 14.2 percent of the total U.S. population. This is slightly higher than the 12% share of the population in 1990, and almost doubling the 4% share of the population in 1970. Despite these numbers, the share of immigrants continues to be below the high-water mark of 18.8 percent set in 1890.
Overall, the immigrant population increased by almost four million between October and November 2021, and the numbers continue to rise. However, it is likely that the overall immigrant population will begin to drop in the middle of 2020. The decline will be driven in part by a decrease in the number of unauthorized immigrants.