The state of immigration is everchanging, especially here in the United States. Ever since its commence, no one has been able to perfectly predict how rates may decrease or increase. These trends usually depend on a number of factors, including the time of year, what events are occurring on an international level, and the current president’s policies regarding immigration. Almost every day, new reports are being sent out to cover which foreigners are coming into the country and the numbers by which they are coming in. More than halfway into 2020, there is much to be said about these immigration trends. We discuss them.
More Latin Americans, Fewer European and Asians
In the year 2018, the United States witnessed the least amount of green cards issued to people from Europe and Asia. The numbers had not been so low since 2010. The numbers have risen for Latin Americans, based on specific countries and regions. The Caribbean contributed a 30% increase, Central Americans contributed a 34% increase, Venezuelans are a reported 17%, and Mexico is approximately 16% up, all from 2010.
Different Gateways for Immigrants to Come In
New York and California have always been the hotspots where a vast majority of immigrants come into the United States. The same goes for other states such as Florida, Illinois, and Texas. In recent years, immigrants have found other hubs to enter into the United States, such as regions in the Southeast and the Pacific Northwest. This may be due to where exactly the majority of these foreigners are coming from.
Population Growth in the South and West
Immigration is one of the key factors in the boom of the population in areas such as the Sun Belt (Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, South Carolina, Texas, two-thirds of California, and parts of North Carolina, Nevada, and Utah), the Pacific Northwest, and the Mountain States. With more immigrants coming in and residing in these parts of the United States, the overall growth has been driven mostly in the Southern and Western regions.
Population Declines in Central America
As more foreigners are coming into the United States and establishing family life here, fewer families have been populating in Central American countries. Native-born populations are declining in certain areas of these countries due to the fact that most families and individuals do not return to their homelands, much less do they raise families in their home countries.
Traveling in Families
Out of 1.1 million people who became green card holders in 2018, 63% of this number obtained permanent resident status due to family connections to a U.S. citizen or a green card holder they are related to. With this in mind, foreigners are less likely to travel into the United States if they do not already have family there or if they are not traveling with a family.
Longer Wait Times for Permanent Residency Applicants
Wait times are already a soaring burden for those who apply for permanent residency. Due to the fact that so many people are applying, the wait times have been extended. Only a small percentage of applicants were able to obtain permanent residency the same year they applied, in the past two years. As of recent, applicants are informed that the process could take up to (at a maximum) of two years for their application to be filed.
Gaining Citizenship Has Become More Rigorous
Similar to obtaining permanent residency, gaining citizenship is also taking up more time and the process has become much more difficult. This difficulty is due to more requirements and officials have made exams to be much more strict. Immigrants are expected to live in the United States for a certain amount of time (an increase from 2011 policies) before they can be naturalized.
Immigrants Make a Grand Economic Contribution
The many immigrants that do become naturalized or obtain their green cards become employed. In fact, 70% of new green card holders in 2018 had jobs and only 1 out of 8 people were unemployed, with most of them being retired or working as home or caretakers. Many of these foreigners who are working in the U.S. provide a vital economic counterbalance to the portion of the U.S. population that is growing older and unable to work.
Get Connected with Dedicated Professionals
The experts at Fong Ilagan closely examine trends and changes in policies in order to better help our clients in the process of moving into the U.S. Whenever you may need us, we are here to answer all of your questions. Contact us today to get started.