The United States is home to the world’s largest foreign-born population. As of 2023, immigrants accounted for 14.3 percent of the nation’s 335 million residents. That percentage has risen significantly since 1970, though it remains below the historical peak of 14.8 percent in 1890.
Immigrants are people who leave their countries of origin or habitual residence to live in another country permanently or temporarily. They may be seeking work, fleeing violence, oppression, poverty, lack of opportunity, or natural disasters. People may also migrate because they want to pursue a better life for themselves and their families, or to be with relatives.
In addition to bolstering local economies, immigrants bring customs and traditions that help shape the cultural diversity of their new homes. These contributions can help create more tolerant societies, where different religions and ethnicities are accepted and celebrated. They can also enrich the local art and music scene with new cuisines, music, and literature.
Immigration also brings new skills and capabilities to workplaces, which helps boost productivity and fuel job growth. This can benefit both businesses and the economy, especially in sectors where workers are in short supply or poorly paid. Many immigrants have specialized engineering or technology skills, and companies that hire them can expand their operations without having to add additional U.S.-born employees.
Despite these benefits, immigration can sometimes trigger resentment among some members of the host community. It can lead to fears that traditional cultural values are being threatened, which may prompt calls for stricter immigration policies and a narrower definition of national identity. It can also encourage anti-immigrant rhetoric and actions, and increase the prevalence of racist and xenophobic attitudes.
For journalists, the key is to provide context that shows how immigrants can contribute to their communities while remaining true to their own identities. For example, a news story on the challenges of immigrant integration might include an interview with a local immigrant who has become a successful business owner. This can demonstrate how hard-working and enduring immigrants can be.
Immigrants tend to be more likely than the general population to be proficient in English. However, the proportion of English-proficient immigrants varies by length of residence in the United States. Those who have lived here for more than 20 years are much more likely to be English-proficient than those who have been in the country for five or fewer years.
In addition, journalists should be mindful that the history of immigration is often complex and difficult to pin down in a single news story. A journalist can help readers understand the complexities of immigration by explaining how past policies have shaped current ones. For example, a journalist could explain that the strict immigration quota laws of the past helped lead to today’s permissive policies on legal migration. The article could also point out how global warming is changing the planet’s climate, which will have a profound impact on future patterns of human migration.