3. Immigration to the United
States is a complex demographic
phenomenon that has been a
major source of population
growth and cultural change
throughout much of the history
of the United States
4. The history of immigration to the United
States deals with the movement of people to
the United States since the first European
settlements in about 1600. Starting around
1600 British and other Europeans settled
primarily on the east coast. Later Africans
were brought as slaves. The United
States experienced successive waves of
immigration which rose and fell over time,
particularly from Europe, with the cost of
transoceanic transportation sometimes paid by
travelers becoming indentured servants after
their arrival in the New World. At other times,
immigration rules became more restrictive.
With the ending of numerical restrictions in
1965 and the advent of cheap air travel
immigration has increased from Asia and Latin
America.
5. The economic, social, and political
aspects of immigration have
caused controversy regarding
ethnicity, economic benefits, jobs
for non-immigrants, settlement
patterns, impact on upward social
mobility, crime, and voting behavior.
6. Reasons of immigration
Poverty
Armed conflict
Social strife
political turmoil
Economic hardships
7. Facts about immigrants
More than 1 million immigrants became legal permanent residents of the
United States in 2012
Of the new U.S. residents, 14 percent came from Mexico, 7.9 percent from
China, and 6.4 percent from India.
Between 2009 and 2012, more than 70 percent of immigrants came from
Asia and North America every year
Immigrants are an essential element of a strong U.S. economy, fulfilling the
intrinsic need of the labor force for workers.
For the first time in 2012, the majority of babies under age 1 were black,
Hispanic, Asian, or another non-white race.
By 2026, it is predicted that the government will have a shortage of 20
million workers.
8. The Census Bureau estimates the
US population will grow from 281
million in 2000 to 397 million in
2050 with immigration, but only to
328 million with no immigration.
11. The American Dream is the belief that through
hard work and determination, any United States
immigrant can achieve a better life, usually in
terms of financial prosperity and enhanced
personal freedom of choice. According to
historians, the rapid economic and industrial
expansion of the U.S. is not simply a function of
being a resource rich, hard working, and
inventive country, but the belief that anybody
could get a share of the country's wealth if he or
she was willing to work hard . This dream has
been a major factor in attracting immigrants to
the United States
12. All men are created equal and are endowed by their Creator
with certain unalienable rights.
Among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
