20.1.3 Changes in U.S. Immigration Patterns and Attitudes

A graph projecting the growing population of Africa. The vertical axis is population, and the horizontal axis is the year. In 1950, the population was about 250 million; in 1980 it was abut 500 million. In 2013 it was about 1.2 billion. In 2050 it is projected to be 2.4 billion. And in 2100 it is projected to be over 4 billion.
Figure 20.6 This graph shows the population growth of countries located on the African continent, many of which have high fertility rates. (Credit: USAID)
A graph predicting the growing population of the United States. A graph projecting the growing population of Africa. The vertical axis is population, and the horizontal axis is the year. In 1950, the population was about 160 million; in 1980 it was abut 275 million. In 2013 it was about 250 million. In 2050 it is projected to be 445 million. And in 2100 it is projected to be about 525 million.
Figure 20.7 The United States has an intermediate fertility rate, and therefore, a comparatively moderate projected population growth. (Credit: USAID)
A graph projecting the growing population of Europe. The vertical axis is population, and the horizontal axis is the year. In 1950, the population was about 550 million; in 1980 it was abut 650 million. In 2013 it was about 775 million. In 2050 it is projected to be 700 million. And in 2100 it is projected to be 620 million.
Figure 20.8 This chart shows the projected population growth of Europe for the remainder of this century. (Credit: USAID)

Worldwide patterns of migration have changed, though the United States remains the most popular destination. From 1990 to 2013, the number of migrants living in the United States increased from one in six to one in five (The Pew Research Center 2013). Overall, the United States is home to about 45 million foreign-born people, while only about 3 million U.S. citizens lived abroad. Of foreign-born citizens emigrating to the United States, 55 percent originated in Latin America and the Caribbean. However, over the past few years, more people from Asian countries have entered than from Latin American ones (Budiman 2020).

While there are more foreign-born people residing in the United States legally, as of 2017 about 10.5 million resided here without legal status (Budiman 2020). Most immigrants in the U.S. live in either Texas, Florida, or California.

Even before policy changes and COVID-19 affected refugee admittance, a relatively small number of people formally entered the country as refugees. In 2016, about 85,000 refugees were admitted to the U.S. (of over one million total immigrants), with the largest portion arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo; in 2020, the number of refugees was reduced to 18,000.

Most citizens agree that our national immigration policies are need adjustment. More than two-thirds (69 percent) of those in a recent national survey believed illegal immigrants should have a path to citizenship provided they meet other requirements, such as paying taxes and passing a background check. Even more people (72 percent) supported passing a DREAM Act, which would allow people who immigrated as children to earn citizenship. In both parts of the survey, majorities of both Republicans and Democrats as well as independents supported the pathway to citizenship (Vox and Data for Progress 2021).

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