VTMBH Article: Body
Visa system reform in the United States may drastically change the make-up of American society. Transforming America into a country of immigrants (26 million, not including the five million undocumented) could be successfully halted, but only for a short while. The largest ever number of immigrants settled in the United States in the last ten years. The U.S. Census noted a 30 percent increase of immigrants over the ten year period. Two years ago, foreign-born U.S. residents constituted 9.7 percent of the nation. The lowest number noted was in 1970, when immigrants accounted for only 4.7 percent.
The second significant factor indicating serious changes in American society, is the growth of the Hispanic community, which amounts to more than a half of all immigrants. Asians are second, with 27 percent and only 17 percent of all immigrants are European. There is a notable racial-ethnic shift. The United States is more and more international and the white population originating from Europe is becoming a minority.
The third factor relates to naturalization. The percentage of foreigners residing in the United States who become U.S. citizens is decreasing. Only 35 percent of immigrants obtain an American passport, whereas in 1970, 64 percent did. Asians expressed the strongest interest in US citizenship, immigrants from Europe remain at the same interest level as in 1970, and Latin American immigrants are the most reluctant to be naturalized (only 22 percent of Mexicans were naturalized in 1990).
There are a number of reasons to explain this phenomenon, such as tighter restrictions on applying for naturalization, or the INS indolence. The main reason probably relates to the ongoing transformation into a multi-cultural society. The knowledge of English, values and history of the United States are less important. The emphasis is now on creating a mosaic of individual cultures, languages and traditions which have equal rights. It has become easier than ever to live in the United States in closed communities that are no longer considered ethnic ghettos buton the contraryare supported as minority groups developing their own language, culture and heritage.
Newcomers in general settle in a few selected states. The largest number go to California (8.1 million), New York (3.6 million), Florida (2.4 million), Texas (2.2 million), New Jersey (1.2 million) and Illinois (1.1. million). The data released by U.S. Census once again defeats the myth of immigrants being a burden on American taxpayers. 92 percent of immigrants aged 25 to 54 work (more or less the same number among native-born Americans). Unemployment figures show 6.9 percent of immigrants who have no jobs compared to 5.4 percent among Americans.
At the same time, immigrants are poorer: As many as 21 percent live under the poverty line, while just 12.9 percent among Americans qualify as poor. This number includes mainly uneducated or even illiterate masses from Latin America. These people do the most unskilled jobs.
The United States lives off immigrants. Without this mass of foreigners, the United States could not prosper. It is impossible to stop the influx of immigrants.
The second significant factor indicating serious changes in American society, is the growth of the Hispanic community, which amounts to more than a half of all immigrants. Asians are second, with 27 percent and only 17 percent of all immigrants are European. There is a notable racial-ethnic shift. The United States is more and more international and the white population originating from Europe is becoming a minority.
The third factor relates to naturalization. The percentage of foreigners residing in the United States who become U.S. citizens is decreasing. Only 35 percent of immigrants obtain an American passport, whereas in 1970, 64 percent did. Asians expressed the strongest interest in US citizenship, immigrants from Europe remain at the same interest level as in 1970, and Latin American immigrants are the most reluctant to be naturalized (only 22 percent of Mexicans were naturalized in 1990).
There are a number of reasons to explain this phenomenon, such as tighter restrictions on applying for naturalization, or the INS indolence. The main reason probably relates to the ongoing transformation into a multi-cultural society. The knowledge of English, values and history of the United States are less important. The emphasis is now on creating a mosaic of individual cultures, languages and traditions which have equal rights. It has become easier than ever to live in the United States in closed communities that are no longer considered ethnic ghettos buton the contraryare supported as minority groups developing their own language, culture and heritage.
Newcomers in general settle in a few selected states. The largest number go to California (8.1 million), New York (3.6 million), Florida (2.4 million), Texas (2.2 million), New Jersey (1.2 million) and Illinois (1.1. million). The data released by U.S. Census once again defeats the myth of immigrants being a burden on American taxpayers. 92 percent of immigrants aged 25 to 54 work (more or less the same number among native-born Americans). Unemployment figures show 6.9 percent of immigrants who have no jobs compared to 5.4 percent among Americans.
At the same time, immigrants are poorer: As many as 21 percent live under the poverty line, while just 12.9 percent among Americans qualify as poor. This number includes mainly uneducated or even illiterate masses from Latin America. These people do the most unskilled jobs.
The United States lives off immigrants. Without this mass of foreigners, the United States could not prosper. It is impossible to stop the influx of immigrants.