Setting the Stage:

1
Setting the Stage The League of Women Voters
Immigration Study Deborah Macmillan President,
LWVNJ, Member, LWVUS Immigration Study
Committee
Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of
Lackawanna County University of
Scranton November 16, 2006
Maps courtesy of www.theodora.com/maps, used with
permission
2

• The League of Women Voters
• Who we are
• Most recent NATIONAL study
• Recent NATIONAL update
• Immigration study

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How did the study come about?
Gallup Poll of US adults immigration named as
top problem facing the nation by ??
mid-April 2006 ?? mid-October 2006
4
NOT the top problem facing the nation
All adults immigration named as top problem by
mid-April 2006 mid-October
2006
19
7
Gallup Poll
5
View of immigration as top problem varies with
party affiliation
Democrats
Republicans
Gallup Poll, Oct 9-12, 2006
Immigration, 11
Other
Immigration NOT among top mentions for Democrats
in October
Immigration, 6
6
The Leagues process, instead
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• Scope of study
• Whats NOT in scope?
• Resources Immigration 101

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Scope of immigration studyThe main categories

• Underlying values and principles regarding
  immigration
• Reasons for migration from other countries
• Current federal immigration policy
• Impact of immigration

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Scope, with detailApproved October 28 by the
LWVUS board

• Including but not limited to
• Effects of global interdependence on migration
• Motivation of refugees and asylees
• Motivation of other immigrants
• Overview
• Effectiveness in uniting families
• Effectiveness in meeting needs of businesses
• Effectiveness of enforcement
• Human rights concerns
• Economic effects authorized and unauthorized
  immigration
• Diversity
• Inclusion of immigrants in American society

Reasons
CurrentPolicy
Impact
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Resources

• Immigration 101 see handout/web
• Books and reports
• Articles
• Websites
• Videos/DVDs
• Community resources
• Discussion list at LWV.org (still to come)

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Present study Determines future advocacy

• Grassroots study and consensus
• Study approved for three years
• NO advocacy/positions until study and consensus
  lead to LWV position
• Exceptions

12

• Immigration issues

13
Immigration issues from the 1700s to the present

• Complaint in the Declaration of Independence
• Years of residence before naturalization to
  become a citizen
• Know-Nothing party in mid 1800s

14
Total and foreign born population increasing
300
298
Number(millions)
284
Total population Foreign born population
200
186
100
38
35
23
10
10
14
0
15
Foreign born also increasing, both numbers and
percentage of total
300
298
Number(millions)
284
Total population Foreign born population
200
186
100
38
35
23
10
10
14
0
Percentage Foreign Born
15
16
Changes over a longer period
1960-2005
Hypothetical to 1850
1850 to 1950
1882
1850
1854
1924
Foreign born as of total US population
1970
2005
17
1990 foreign born percentages 12
DC
Source for percentage change Migration Policy
Institute
Note All numbers include US Census Bureau
estimates of undocumented immigrants.
18
Foreign born percentages 12 1990, 2000, and
2005
12 or more - 1990 12 or more - 2000 12 or
more - 2005 (i.e., at or above US foreign born
as of 2005)
Notes No state that reached 12 in 1990 or
2000 later fell below this percentage. All
numbers include US Census Bureau estimates of
undocumented immigrants.
DC
Source for percentages Migration Policy Institute
19
States that doubled (or tripled) the percentage
of foreign born, 1990-2005
The US percentage overall increased from 8 to
just over 12 in this period. Had it increased
to 16, it would have doubled.
Source for percentage change Migration Policy
Institute
Note All numbers include US Census Bureau
estimates of undocumented immigrants.
20
Highest change in number of foreign born,
2000-2005
Increase 2000 to 2005 40 or more 30 to 39.9
Source for percentage change Migration Policy
Institute
Note All numbers include US Census Bureau
estimates of undocumented immigrants.
21
Several US metro areas much higher than national
average today
2000 census
Highest ?
Percentage Foreign Born
OtherEast coast?
West coast?
22
Miami more than 50 foreign born5 other metro
areas 30
2000 census
Miami, FL
Highest
Percentage Foreign Born
50
Jersey City, NJ New York, NY
LA-Long Beach, CA San Jose, CA San Francisco,
CA
East coast
West coast
Foreign born as of total US population from
1960-2005
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Immigration global, not just US

• Countries with two cities (30 or more
  foreign born)

Countries with one city (30 or more foreign
born
Australia Canada Israel Saudi Arabia US
China New Zealand Oman Singapore United Arab
Emirates
Toronto Vancouver
24
US Total of Foreign Born (12 of total
population were foreign born)
2000 census
Countries not shown Each 3 or less of the US
total foreign born
Mexico 30
Largest group
WHERE were they born, by country?
Philippines 4
25
Miami of Foreign Born, as of 2000 Census
(51 of total were foreign born)
Countries not shown Each 3 or less of Miamis
total foreign born
Cuba 46
WHERE were they born, by country?
Largest group
Haiti 6
Colombia 7
Nicaragua 8
26
New York City of Foreign Born, as of 2000
Census (34 of total were foreign born)
Countries not shown Each 3 or less of NYCs
total foreign born
Dominican Republic 12
Largest group
WHERE were they born, by country?
Jamaica 6
27
Summary metro areas with very high percentages
of foreign born
San Francisco San Jose
New York Jersey City
Los Angeles/ Long Beach
Miami
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A few terms

• Foreign born
• Native born
• Immigrant
• Non-Immigrant
• Guest workers
• Temporary visas

• Amnesty//path to permanent residence//path to
  citizenship
• Undocumented immigrants
• No entry
• Overstayed visa

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Constructing Liberty
National Park Service
30
9/11/2001
National Park Service
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What values are at issue?What should
immigration policies accomplish?
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Applicable to all regions? Metro areas? Land and
water borders?
San Francisco San Jose
New York Jersey City
Los Angeles/ Long Beach
Miami
33
Applicable to all economic immigrants? (Higher
poverty areas are darker)
Puerto Rico
El Salvador Honduras Ecuador
Note Puerto Ricans are US citizens, NOT
immigrants.
34
People and places to think about

• Foreign and native born
• Our own communities
• Other communities, both familiar andless familiar

35

• Some specifics
• Jobs
• Prices
• Education
• English language
• Diversity
• Legislation

Education Government Community
36
Employment visas issued for low-skilled jobs
1
Bill Cameron
99 all other
37
Historical note from Ellis Island

• 1905 NYC sample ballot English AND
• Hungarian
• 1928-36 Minnesota sample ballots English AND
• Bohemian
• Finnish
• French

• Italian
• Yiddish

• German
• Norwegian
• Polish
• Swedish

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When and how does age matter?
Bill Cameron
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700 miles of border fence Is this consensus?

• Senate passed 80-19-1
• House - passed 283-138-14
• i.e., pro vote by
• 80 of Senate and
• 65 of House
• BUT, minimal funding

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Border areas and surveillance
Toronto
San Diego
El Paso
Big Bend
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Legislation other than the fence?
42
Where do we go from here?
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? ? ? ? ?