A Brief History of Immigration Policy Quantitative Methods for Public Policy Macalester College Spring, 2005 Steve Holland
Landing of Columbus (frieze in the Rotunda of the United States Capitol)
The greatest number of legal immigrants to arrive in the United States in any single decade is 1) 130,000 2) 550,000 3) 1 million 4) 3 million 5) 6 million 6) 9 million 7) 16 million 8) 27 million 9) 52 million 10) 93 million
Which decade had the greatest number of immigrants arrive in the United States? 1) 1870 2) 1890 3) 1900 4) 1910 5) 1920 6) 1930 7) 1950 8) 1960 9) 1980 10) 1990
What percentage of people residing in the United States are immigrants (2003)? 1) 0.6% 2) 1.9% 3) 6.4% 4) 11.7% 5) 22.4% 6) 39.1%
The first restrictions on immigration into the United States were placed upon: 1) Chinese 2) Irish 3) Illiterates 4) Paupers
The United States first began patrolling its borders in: 1) 1779 2) 1865 3) 1924 4) 1941 5) 1968 6) 1987
Number of legal immigrants to U.S. by decade 10000 9000 8795 9095 8000 7338 7000 Number (1,000's) 6000 5000 4000 5247 3688 5736 4107 3322 4493 3000 2598 2315 2812 2515 2000 1000 528 1035 0 1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 Year Source: INS Statistical Sourceb ook
The greatest number of legal immigrants to arrive in the United States in any single decade is 1) 130,000 2) 550,000 3) 1 million 4) 3 million 5) 6 million 6) 9 million 7) 16 million 8) 27 million 9) 52 million 10) 93 million This occurred in the 1990 s
Percent of U.S. population that is foreign born 20 18 16 14 13.2 14.4 13.3 14.8 13.6 14.7 13.2 12 11.6 % foreign born 10 8 6 9.7 8.8 6.9 5.4 4.7 6.2 7.9 10.4 4 2 0 1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 Year Source: U.S. Census Bureau
What percentage of people residing in the United States are immigrants (2003)? 1) 0.6% 2) 1.9% 3) 6.4% 4) 11.7% 5) 22.4% 6) 39.1% In 2003 the percentage rose to 11.7%. There were an estimated 33.5 million immigrants living in the U.S. out of a total population of about 290 million
EARLY IMMIGRATION POLICY Restrictions began to be implemented in response to tensions between immigrant and native groups or political events For example, the large number of Chinese immigrants in the West did not assimilate well with settlers of European descent 1882 from www.picturehistory.com
CHINESE EXCLUSION ACT OF 1882 Whereas, in the opinion of the Government of the United States the coming of Chinese laborers to this country endangers the good order of certain localities within the territory thereof. Forty-Seventh Congress. Session I. 1882 Chapter 126
The first restrictions on immigration into the United States were placed upon: 1) Chinese 2) Irish 3) Illiterates 4) Paupers An East Coast, Eurocentric view of immigration led to strong biases against Chinese and Japanese immigrants on the West Coast.
The Great Migration (1880-1920) Mainly Southern and Eastern European immigrants (Italian, Greek, Poles) Most stayed in the Northeastern U.S. Sought wages in the new U.S. industrial society (factories, railroads, mines) Number (1,000's) Number of legal immigrants to U.S. by decade 10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 Year
The Assassination of President McKinley Source: Erie County Bar Association
ALIEN IMMIGRATION ACT (1903) Excluded: idiots insane persons epileptics paupers; persons likely to become a public charge; professional beggars persons afflicted with a loathsome or with a dangerous contagious disease persons who have been convicted of a felony or other crime or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude polygamists anarchists, or persons who believe in or advocate the overthrow by force or violence of the Government of the United States prostitutes, and persons who procure or attempt to bring in prostitutes or women for the purpose of prostitution 32 STAT 1213,ch.1012
IMMIGRATION ACT OF 1917 The Asiatic Barred Zone
IMMIGRATION ACT OF 1917 Also barred illiterates Aimed at southern and eastern Europeans
Quota Laws (1920 s) Limits on the number of immigrants by nation of origin First Border Patrol (1924) Number of legal immigrants to U.S. by decade 10000 9000 8000 7000 Number (1,000's) 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 Year
The United States first began patrolling its borders in: 1) 1779 2) 1865 3) 1924 4) 1941 5) 1968 6) 1987
OTHER NOTEWORTHY EVENTS INS moved from DOL to DOJ (1940) Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 and Amendments (1965) Kept quotas but now calculated by hemisphere Introduced preferences
TOP 10 COUNTRIES FOR LEGAL IMMIGRANTS: 1960 AND 1990 1960 1990 Country Immigrants % of total Country Immigrants % of total Mexico 32,684 12.3 Mexico 56,549 8.6 Germany 31,768 12.0 Philippines 54,907 8.4 Canada 30,990 11.7 Vietnam 48,662 7.4 U.K. 24,643 9.3 Dominican R. 32,064 4.9 Italy 14,933 5.6 Korea 29,548 4.5 Cuba 8,283 3.1 China 28,746 4.4 Poland 7,949 3.0 India 28,679 4.4 Ireland 7,687 2.9 Soviet Union 25,350 3.9 Hungary 7,257 2.7 Jamaica 18,828 2.9 Portugal 6,968 2.6 Iran 18,031 2.7 All Others 92,236 34.8 All Others 314,747 48.0 TOTAL 265,398 100.0 TOTAL 656,111 100.0 European countries in blue Asian countries in red Source: Mizell and Jones, 2003
Immigration Status Numerical limits Illegal immigration Benefits The Current State of U.S. Naturalization Immigration Policy
What group accounts for the largest number of legal immigrants to the United States? 1) Lottery winners 2) Refugees 3) Employment sponsored 4) Family members of citizens
Of the illegal immigrants who are apprehended in the United States, what percentage are removed? 1) 10% 2) 20% 3) 30% 4) 40% 5) 50% 6) 60% 7) 70% 8) 80% 9) 90% 10) 100%
Can illegal immigrants apply to become legal residents after a certain length of time? 1) Yes 2) No
Which of the following is NOT true about illegal immigrants? 1) They have full access to public K-12 education. 2) They pay taxes. 3) They receive the same legal protections as documented workers. 4) All of these statements are true. 5) None of these statements are true.
1. Non-immigrants IMMIGRANT STATUS Visitors, temporary workers, students, government officials, and some others 2. Immigrants Family-sponsored immigration Employer-sponsored immigration Win the visa lottery Apply to adjust status to lawful permanent resident 3. Refugees (outside the U.S.) and Asylees (inside the U.S.) Must show a well founded fear of persecution Limits on the number of refugees but not asylees 4. Parolees A temporary protected status due to an extraordinary condition in the home country
NUMERICAL LIMITS Limited Groups: 2001 Figures (approx.) Family-sponsored preference 225,000 Employment-sponsored preference 140,000 Lottery winners 55,000 Refugees 125,000 Not Limited: Immediate family members 450,000 (spouses and minor children of citizens) Asylees small Total: 1,065,000 Source: Mizell and Jones: U.S. Immigration Policy
What group accounts for the largest number of legal immigrants to the United States? 1) Lottery winners 2) Refugees 3) Employment sponsored 4) Family members of citizens
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION How do you become illegal? What happens once you are caught? Illegal entry Stop immigrants and the border Punish employers who hire illegal immigrants Overstayed a temporary visa About 40% of illegal immigration Removal Expedited removal Removal proceedings About 10% of illegal immigrants are removed
Of the illegal immigrants who are apprehended in the United States, what percentage are removed? 1) 10% 2) 20% 3) 30% 4) 40% 5) 50% 6) 60% 7) 70% 8) 80% 9) 90% 10) 100%
FISCAL COSTS AND BENEFITS Employment Immigrants, even illegal ones, pay income tax Employers are punished for hiring illegal immigrants Education Immigrants, even illegal ones, may receive a public education Means-tested benefits Entering prior to 1996: Benefits to qualified immigrants Entering after 1996: Many benefits denied for non-citizens (e.g. SSI and food stamps)
Which of the following is NOT true about illegal immigrants? 1) They have full access to public K-12 education. 2) They pay taxes. 3) They receive the same legal protections as documented workers. 4) All of these statements are true. 5) None of these statements are true. The DOL s position is to enforce minimum wage and other labor regulations regardless of whether a worker is documented. The Supreme Court recently said undocumented workers are not protected by the NLRA. This decision casts doubt on whether the DOL s position is legally sound. Illegal immigrants are also excluded from food stamps, welfare programs and many other federal benefits.
NATURALIZATION Available to lawful permanent residents Must be a legal resident of the U.S. for five continuous years Requirements: Good moral character Knowledge of English and U.S. civics Demonstrated attachment to the U.S. Constitution
Can illegal immigrants apply to become legal residents after a certain length of time? 1) Yes 2) No
POST 9-11 POLICY Tighter borders More restrictions on student and visitor visas Stronger enforcement, more detention and quicker deportation (the Patriot Act )
Who said it? Undocumented workers and their families make enormous contributions to their communities and workplaces and should be provided permanent legal status through a new legalization program. A) George W. Bush B) John Kerry C)Miami Herald editorial D)The AFL-CIO
Who said it? Undocumented workers and their families make enormous contributions to their communities and workplaces and should be provided permanent legal status through a new legalization program. A) George W. Bush B) John Kerry C)Miami Herald editorial D)The AFL-CIO The AFL-CIO Policy on Immigration (undated, but currently on their website, www.aflcio.org)
Who said it? [Immigration policy] should grant currently working undocumented aliens a temporary worker status to prevent exploitation. Participants would be issued a temporary worker card that will allow them to travel back and forth between their home and the U.S. without fear of being denied re-entry into America. A) Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union B) The CEO of Archer-Daniels-Midland C)Vicente Fox D)George W. Bush
Who said it? [Immigration policy] should grant currently working undocumented aliens a temporary worker status to prevent exploitation. Participants would be issued a temporary worker card that will allow them to travel back and forth between their home and the U.S. without fear of being denied re-entry into America. A) Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union B) The CEO of Archer-Daniels-Midland C)Vicente Fox D)George W. Bush www.whitehouse.gov
Who said it?, its entities, and those speaking in its name will take no position on immigration levels or on policies governing immigration into the United States. A) The Mexican government B) The Sierra Club C)The Teamsters D)Amnesty International
Who said it?, its entities, and those speaking in its name will take no position on immigration levels or on policies governing immigration into the United States. A) The Mexican government B)The Sierra Club C)The Teamsters D)Amnesty International Sierra Club Board of Directors, February 24-25, 1996
Who said it? When asked about President Bush s statement that immigration reform is a priority, this person said, [we are] going to be plenty busy with other priorities. A) A senior Democrat B) A senior Republican C)Dick Cheney
Who said it? When asked about President Bush s statement that immigration reform is a priority, this person said, [we are] going to be plenty busy with other priorities. A) A senior Democrat B)A senior Republican C)Dick Cheney Wisconsin Representative F. James Sensenbrenner Jr., the Republican chairman of the House Judiciary Committee (1-26-05)
BUSH WOULD GIVE ILLEGAL WORKERS BROAD NEW RIGHTS WASHINGTON, Jan. 6 - President Bush will propose a sweeping overhaul of the nation's immigration laws on Wednesday that could give legal status to millions of undocumented workers in the United States, senior administration officials said Tuesday night.
Protecting the Homeland by Controlling Our Borders: It must support ongoing efforts to enhance homeland security. Serve America's Economy by Matching a Willing Worker with a Willing Employer: When no American worker is available and willing to take a job, the program should provide a labor supply for American employers. Promoting Compassion: The program should grant currently working undocumented aliens a temporary worker status to prevent exploitation. Participants would be issued a temporary worker card that will allow them to travel back and forth between their home and the U.S. without fear of being denied re-entry into America. Providing Incentives for Return to Home Country: The program will require the return of temporary workers to their home country after their period of work has concluded. Protecting the Rights of Legal Immigrants: It should not permit undocumented workers to gain an advantage over those who have followed the rules. Source: www.whitehouse.gov
Republicans Squaring Off Over Bush Plan on Immigration By DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 - The battle within the Republican Party over immigration policy was joined Wednesday as President Bush vigorously promoted his proposal for a guest worker program and conservatives in Congress introduced an alternative proposal to tighten immigration restrictions.
A Brief History of Immigration Policy Quantitative Methods for Public Policy Macalester College Spring, 2005 Steve Holland