Immigration patterns in the United States have changed over time according to economic needs. Recent immigrants have clustered on the East and West Coasts as well as border states, often settling in ethnic communities located in poor, urban areas. While many immigrants initially take low-paying jobs, their incomes, education levels, and home ownership rates tend to increase the longer they live in the U.S. Immigration is a politically divisive issue, with Democrats generally supporting fewer restrictions and Republicans traditionally calling for more controls.

1. Immigration Patterns 10 th Grade People in Societies

2. Effects of Immigration on American Society Some Americans want stricter controls The reasons they cite are similar to those given for past cutbacks on immigration: Immigrants take jobs away They work for less pay They drive down wages They increase the cost of welfare Those who favor fewer restrictions assert that immigrants bring new ideas and spirit to the U.S. They increase the supply and demand for goods The U.S. was built largely by the labor of immigrants and their descendents Immigration has always changed according to the needs of the times

3. Housing Patterns Recent immigrants have clustered on the East and West Coats and in border states CA, TX, FL, NY Many immigrants first settle in ethnic communities Helpful social networks Often located in poor, urban settings with inadequate housing Oftentimes become trapped in the lowest-paying jobs and cannot move beyond their circumstances The longer they live in the U.S., the better off they usually become Income, education, and rates of home ownership increase over time

4. Political Affiliations Democratic Party Long been the home to a large portion of working-class immigrants Immigrants tend to begin in the low-income range and gradually become more successful Republican party has traditionally supported more immigration restrictions and Democrats have generally fought for fewer immigration restrictions One exception is wealthy Cuban-Americans Fled from Communism, and the Republican party was very anti-communist-supported the overthrow of Castro

5. Education and Language Immigrants are strongly aware of the fact that the single best predictor of economic success is education Immigrants are just as likely as native-born Americans to hold a college degree Twice as likely to hold Ph.D.s Many go on to professional careers The greatest challenge is learning a new language Bilingual education in the public schools has become a hotly debated issue-alienates children English immersion programs are where students are taught in English at the same time they are given English language instruction Making English the “official” language would exclude many people from voting by abolishing the multilingual voting ballots required by law

6. Labor Practices Make up more than 14% of the nation’s total workforce Most in low-paying jobs at first Many of the leading entrepreneurs, inventors, and software developers of the computer culture were born outside the U.S. “ Guest Worker”=a person who has temporary permission to work in another country It is untrue to say that all immigrants hold low income jobs!!!

7. Religion America has a high tolerance of religious freedom America was first colonized by many different religious groups: Puritans, Protestants, Quakers, Catholics, etc. This led to our first amendment! A separation of church and state As people of different faiths interact with each other, a healthy respect for differences makes it easier to come together as one nation!