Mexican Immigration to the United States

by Hessam Aazami Mexican Immigration 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. The economic, social, and political aspects of immigration have caused controversy regarding ethnicity, economic benefits, and jobs for non-immigrants, settlement patterns, impact on upward social mobility, crime, and voting behavior. In 2006 the United States accepted more legal immigrants as permanent residents than all other countries in the world combined. After ethnic quotas on immigration were removed in 1965 the number of actual (first-generation) immigrants living in the United States eventually quadrupled, from 9.6 million in 1970 to about 38 million in 2007.Over one million persons were naturalized as U.S. citizens in 2008. The leading countries of origin of immigrants to the United States were Mexico, India, the Philippines, and China. Nearly 14 million immigrants entered the United States from 2000 to 2010. Mexico represents the largest source of immigration to the United States. Of the 32.5 million foreign born covered in the March 2002 CPS, 9.8 million or 30 percent were from Mexico; the next largest source, the Philippines, accounted for only one-seventh as many at 1.4 million. The rest of Latin America accounted for 7.3 million or 23 percent. Asian immigrants, at 8.5 million, made up 26 percent of the total foreign-born population. There were 5.4 million foreign born from Europe and Canada, accounting for 17 percent of all immigrants. Africa and the remaining countries, at 1.4 million, made up four percent of all foreign born. Mexican immigrants account for about one-fifth of the legal immigrants living in the United States. This large percentage is actually a legacy of the legalization programs of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA), under which about two million formerly undocumented Mexicans acquired legal status. In terms of the annual inflow of legal immigrants, about one in seven is Mexican. This share is substantially larger than the legal flow from any other country. Mexico is also the single largest source of undocumented immigrants. There were an estimated 9.3 million undocumented immigrants in the United States as of March 2002. Note that this estimate encompasses those included in the March 2002 CPS plus an allowance for those missed. Of these, about 5.3 million or 57 percent were from Mexico. The rest of Latin America (mainly Central America) accounts for another two million or fewer than 25 percent. Asia at about 0.9 million represents 10 percent. Europe and Canada together account for about five percent, as do Africa and the rest of the world. How do people legally immigrate into the United States? Almost a million people legally immigrated into the U.S. in 2004 under qualifying categories: The categories are: • Employment-based preference is a category that permits a limited number of individuals who possess job skills which are in demand by the economy. In 2002, this group was dominated by persons with computer and engineering skills. Family preference is a category that permits individuals to sponsor a limited number of relatives (adult children of U.S. citizens, spouses and children of immigrants, and siblings of citizens). • Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens is a category that permits citizens to sponsor an unlimited number of minor children, spouses, and parents. This has been the largest category. • Diversity is a category authorized by recent legislation which authorizes a limited number of individuals to immigrate based on past under-representation in the immigrant population. Refugees/Asylees are admitted on a limited basis based on political and humanitarian reasons. The maximum numbers vary year-to-year based on Presidential determinations. What is the difference between legal immigrants and citizens? Legal immigrants are basically entitled to the same rights as citizens although they cannot vote or hold political office. About 40% of immigrants become citizens through a process called naturalization. In order to become naturalized, immigrants must reside in the U.S. for five years. Most must demonstrate a proficiency in English and knowledge of U.S. history and government. The primary motive for immigrants to become citizens is that they qualify to assist their relatives immigrate. Visa Requirements - Citizens of Mexico Citizens and permanent residents of Mexico generally must have a nonimmigrant visa or Border Crossing Card (also known as a "Laser Visa"). For ease of travel, the B1/B2 and the Border Crossing Card have been combined into one biometric and machine readable document (DSP-150). Select Border Crossing Card to learn more about this card. About the Author Dr. Aazami graduated from the prestigious University of Bologna School of Medicine in Italy where he is a board certified gastroenterologist. He then continued his postgraduate training in the United States at the University of Southern California Medical Center.