Immigration is the international movement of people into a country other than their country of origin or usual residence, so that the new country becomes their country of permanent residence. It can be either voluntary or involuntary, and may be motivated by family ties, employment, refugee status, and other humanitarian reasons.
Across the nation, immigrants are an important part of our communities and economy. They bring ingenuity, energy and skills that have helped to build the United States. In fact, immigrant-led households spend over a trillion dollars annually and generate tens of billions in business revenue. But, the immigrant experience is not without its challenges.
The most commonly cited reason that immigrants say they moved to the United States was for better work and educational opportunities for themselves and their children. Smaller shares cite other factors such as seeking a more stable and prosperous life, escaping unsafe or violent conditions, or joining family members.
While the benefits of immigration are widely acknowledged, anti-immigrant sentiment is widespread and is increasingly reflected in public opinion. Opposition to immigration is fueled by concerns about the impact on jobs, culture, and crime. It also reflects fears that the presence of immigrants will compromise a society’s “racial purity.”
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, popular opposition to immigration centered on European (primarily Southern and Eastern) migrants and Asian (primarily Chinese and Japanese) migrants. The result was laws restricting immigration from these sources. Immigration has since accelerated with the post-World War II wave of refugees, the rise in demand for skilled professionals, and efforts to promote diversity.
Most of today’s legal immigrants are family-based, with spouses, children or parents of U.S. citizens making up the largest share of all legal immigrant admissions. Other categories of legal immigrants include workers and investors, as well as individuals seeking asylum or refugee status.
Almost three-quarters of all working immigrants are employed in a job that pays at least some income. About one-quarter of all immigrants are self-employed and generate tens of billions in annual business revenues. Many of the self-employed are immigrants with college degrees.
However, nearly half of all immigrants report having experienced workplace discrimination and more than one-third have difficulty making ends meet. These challenges are more pronounced for lower-income immigrant households, those with limited English proficiency and Black and Hispanic immigrants. In addition, many immigrants face ongoing stress and uncertainty about future immigration policies. Overall, though, the vast majority of immigrants believe that their lives are more fulfilling than they would have been in their countries of origin. Despite the hardships they have faced, they see great potential for their children and grandchildren to live in an even more enlightened, democratic and free world. The following curated resources are related to this topic.