Immigration is the international movement of people into or from a country outside their own. The term “immigrant” encompasses a wide range of people, from those seeking asylum in another country to those who have moved for work or other reasons. It is a major topic in politics and policy discussions worldwide.
The vast majority of immigrants say that moving to the United States has been a positive experience. When asked what the best thing was about living in America, most said it had improved their financial situation and educational opportunities, while many also reported a better quality of life. This is true across ages, education, income, and citizenship status.
Immigrants contribute to the nation’s economy in a variety of ways, and their contributions are important for all Americans. Immigrants work at a higher rate than the native-born population and make up a significant percentage of the workforce in some industries. They help to smooth out worker shortages and economic ups and downs, making them essential for the U.S. economy. They also pay a substantial amount in taxes, including federal, state and local, as well as social security and medicare. And as consumers, immigrant-led households have $1.3 trillion in spending power.
In addition to their contributions to our economy, the immigrant community has a deep and rich culture that contributes to American society in many ways. Immigrants bring new ideas, expertise, customs, cuisines and art to the United States, and they often revitalize the cultures that they come from, as well as build on America’s unique culture. This is seen clearly in the inventions of blue jeans, Apple, tacos and hip-hop, to name just a few examples.
As debates continue about how to shape the future of immigration, it is helpful to understand who immigrants are and how they came to be where they are today. For most, their journey started with a desire to create a better life for themselves and their families. This may have included fleeing harsh or dangerous conditions in their home countries, as is the case for refugees. For others, it was a matter of economic opportunity and the hope that their children would have more choices than they had.
Immigrants come to the United States through a variety of pathways, and many do not have legal documentation. They are sometimes referred to as unauthorized or undocumented. Those without proper documents entered the country illegally or overstayed their visas, and have not obtained citizenship through naturalization or other legal means. This group includes many children born to migrant parents, known as the 1.5 generation. Many of these individuals are undocumented and face a number of challenges, including high levels of workplace and other discrimination and difficulty making ends meet. Despite these hurdles, three in four immigrants say they would choose to move to the United States again if given the chance. This is true across ages, education, employment status and race/ethnicity. In the next section, we’ll explore some of the key issues facing this community.