For Immediate Release
American Roots in the Immigrant Experience:
Immigrants and Children of Immigrants Comprise Nearly One-Quarter of the U.S. Population
October 19, 2009
Washington D.C. – The U.S. Census Bureau recently released data on the Latino population of the United States that underscores the extent to which the immigrant experience is embedded in the social (and political) fabric of the United States in three important ways:
- Nearly one out of every four people in the United States in 2008 was either an immigrant or the child of an immigrant.
- Immigrants who are naturalized U.S. citizens (and entitled to vote) accounted for 5 percent of the total U.S. population in 2008.
- Two-in-five immigrants came to this country before 1990 and therefore have deep U.S. roots. More than one-third of Latino immigrants came to the United States prior to 1990.
The political significance of these statistics should be apparent. Latinos comprise the fastest-growing group of voters in the United States. The number of naturalized U.S. citizens is increasing rapidly. And the electoral clout of “New American” voters who share a direct, personal connection to the immigrant experience-that is, naturalized citizens and the U.S.-born children of immigrants-is on the rise. Successful politicians will pay close attention to these demographic trends.
Read the fact check in its entirety:
American Roots in the Immigrant Experience (IPC Fact Check, October 19, 2009)
For more information contact Wendy Sefsaf at 202-507-7524 or wsefsaf@ailf.org
The Immigration Policy Center (IPC), established in 2003, is the policy arm of the American Immigration Law Foundation. IPC’s mission is to shape a rational national conversation on immigration and immigrant integration. Through its research and analysis, IPC provides policymakers, the media, and the general public with accurate information about the role of immigrants and immigration policy on U.S. society. IPC reports and materials are widely disseminated and relied upon by press and policy makers. IPC staff regularly serves as experts to leaders on Capitol Hill, opinion-makers and the media. IPC is a non-partisan organization that neither supports nor opposes any political party or candidate for office.
A division of the American Immigration Law Foundation.
Visit our website at www.immigrationpolicy.org.
The Immigration Policy Center (IPC), established in 2003, is the policy arm of the American Immigration Law Foundation. IPC’s mission is to shape a rational national conversation on immigration and immigrant integration. Through its research and analysis, IPC provides policymakers, the media, and the general public with accurate information about the role of immigrants and immigration policy on U.S. society. IPC reports and materials are widely disseminated and relied upon by press and policy makers. IPC staff regularly serves as experts to leaders on Capitol Hill, opinion-makers and the media. IPC is a non-partisan organization that neither supports nor opposes any political party or candidate for office.
A division of the American Immigration Law Foundation.
Visit our website at www.immigrationpolicy.org.
