FACTS ABOUT TODAY S IMMIGRATION TRAD101 Peng
Test Your knowledge about immigrants & immigration to the United States
Q1: Most immigrants come to the United States from the United States from where? A. The Middle East B. Africa C. Asia D. Latin America E. The Middle East & Africa F. Asia & Latin America G. All of the above
F. Asia & Latin America From 1900 to 2000, the proportion of immigrants from Asia and Latin of America increased from less than 1.5 percent to 26 percent and 52 percent respectively.
Q2: What percentage of the world s immigrants come to the United States? A. More than 35% B. 22% C. 15% D. Less than 1%
D. Less than 1% Of the 175 million migrants in the world the U.S. admitted 1,063,732 documented immigration adds approximately 350,000 people per year by INS estimates.
Q3: Immigrants made up what percentage of the total U.S. population in 2000? A. 6% B. 11% C. 15% D. 28%
B. 11 percent Percentage of immigrants in the U.S. population in 1910, nearly 15 percent. in 2000, nearly 11 percent.
Q4: What is the most common reason people from other countries come to the U.S. to live? A. To join a close family member B. For employment C. To escape persecution (as a refugee) D. All of the above
A. To join a close family member Most legal immigrants (about 75 percent) come to the U.S. to join close family members, although employment and escaping persecution are two of the other main reasons people come to the U.S.
How does someone become a legal permanent resident in the U.S.? A. Quota system B. Sponsored by employer while in the U.S. C. Sponsored by a family member, such as a parent, grandparent, sibiling,, uncle, etc. D. None of the above E. All of the above
D. None of the above There are two major ways in which a person may apply for permanent residency. 1. Based on immediate family - through a spouse, sibling, parent, or child 2. Based on employment - The person must be in the U.S. with a valid, non-immigrant status (i.e. student or visitor) or must be outside the U.S. and allowed to return
Q6: Most immigrants come into the United States illegally. True False
False Of the nearly 1.4 million immigrants who entered the U.S. in 2002, about 25 percent came illegally.
Q7: According to the U.S. Census, the total number of immigrants living in the U.S. in 2000 was more than 31 million. By INS estimates, how many undocumented immigrants were living in the U.S. that same year? A. 75.3 million B. 46.8 million C. 12.5 million D. 7 million
D. 7 million The total number was derived from a formula that took into account not only arriving immigrants, but also those who returned to their native countries. It was estimated that nearly seven million undocumented immigrants were living in the U.S.
Q8: Recent immigrants tend to speak a language other than English at home. True False
True About 83 percent of the immigrants who live in the U.S. do not speak English at home.
Q9: Can you answer the following questions, which appear on the U.S. Naturalization Exam? 1. Why do we celebrate the Fourth of July? 2. What are the first 10 amendments to the Constitution called? 3. How many Senators are there in Congress? 4. What are the 3 branches of our government?
1. Independence Day (from Great Britain) 2. The Bill of Rights 3. 100 4. Legislative, Executive and Judicial
Which of the following persons were born in the United States? A. Madeline Albright, former U.S. Secretary of State B. Andrew Grove, founder, Intel Corporation C. Jennifer Lopez, actor / musician D. Gene Simmons, rock musician, Kiss E. Patrick Ewing, basketball player, New York Knicks
C. Jennifer Lopez With parents hailing from the U.S. Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Jennifer was born in the Bronx, New York. All of the others are first-generation immigrants to the United States: Madeleine Albright from Czechoslovakia, Andrew Grove from Hungary, Gene Simmons from Israel & Patrick Ewing from Jamaica.
Work Cited: Independent Television Service (ITVS), Immigration Myths and Realities Quiz, 2004. <http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/newamericans/quiz.html>. Site found on 3 Oct 2005. Sources: Urban Institute, The National Immigration Forum, U.S. Committee for Refugees, U.S. Census Bureau. Lazos, Sylvia and Stephen Jeanetta, Cambio de Colores. Immigration of Latinos to Missouri, 2002. MU Extension, University of Missouri-Columbia. Mayo, Alexis, et al. Cultural Competency and Survival Spanish, July 2005. UMKC Institute for Human Development. The Mdivani Law Firm, LLC, Immigration Questions and Answers, April 2005. Prepared for the Northeast Advisory and Access Group. The Missouri Photo Workshop, Rangefinder, 26 Sept 2005. Vol. 57, No. 1. U.S. Census Bureau, State and County QuickFacts. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/29000lk.html. Site found 1 Nov 2005. Pew Hispanic Center, Survey of Mexican Migrants: Part One, 2 Mar 2005. <http://pewhispanic.org/files/reports/41.pdf>. Site found 1 Nov 2005. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, Eligibility Information: Who May Apply to Become a Lawful Permanent Resident While in the United States? 31 Oct 2003. <http://uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/lpreligibility.htm>. Site found on 1 Nov 2005. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, Naturalization Test Questions for Applicants Meeting 65/20 Exception <http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/natz/6520q.pdf> Site found on 28 Oct 2005. University of Missouri Extension and the Children, Youth, and Families at Risk (CFAR) Initiative, CYFAR Self Study II Learning Opportunity, 2005. Curators of the University of Missouri. <http://outreach.missouri.edu/fcrp/selfstudy/latino/pg3.htm>. Site found on 1 Nov 2005.
Research-Based Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About: Asian Americans and Marriage National Healthy Marriage Resource Center www.healthymarriageinfo.org/docs/downloads/faq_asian.ppt
Introduction The term Asian American is used to refer to any individual living in America with Asian heritage. In 2004, 14 million people in the United States reported an Asian heritage; Asian Americans now make up 3.4% of the U.S. population. The five largest Asian groups in the United States are -- Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, and Vietnamese. Asian Americans vary in terms of their financial well-being, education, and other social factors. Some Asian Americans strongly adhere to their cultural beliefs and traditions. This may be especially true among recent immigrants. However, many Asian Americans have adopted cultural views about marriage and family relationships that are closer to the broader American culture.
Q1. What percentage of Asian Americans is married? How does this figure compare to the national average? Asian Americans are more likely to be married than the general population. In 2000, 60% of Asian American adults reported being currently married, compared to 54% of the U.S. population.
Q2. What percentage of Asian Americans marry outside their ethnic group? About 75% of Asian Americans marry someone of the same ethnic group; about 25% marry an Asian American of a different ethnic group than their own or a non-asian. This rate of intermarriage is 3-43 4 times higher than for other Americans (about 7%). Asian Americans who marry outside their ethnic group usually marry Whites. About one-third of Japanese Americans intermarry compared to 15% of Chinese and (Asian) Indian Americans.
Q3.. What traditional cultural beliefs about family influence Asian American marriages? Although it is not appropriate to assume that all Asian Americans adhere to traditional cultural views about family, these views influence many Asian American marriages. Two of the most important are: Collectivism vs. Individualism. Many Asian Americans value commitment to the needs of the group over individual needs and self-development. They tend to value obedience, self-control, and family interests over the typical American values of independence, self- expression, and individual interests. Asian Americans may be more likely than other Americans to make personal sacrifices that foster harmony and promote the well-being of a relationship.
Q3.. What traditional cultural beliefs about family influence Asian American marriages? (con t.) Filial piety,, or respect for parents, is a Confucian value that influences many, but not all, Asian cultures. It includes duty, obligation, the importance of the family name, and service and sacrifice to elders. This commitment to one s s family can affect choices about whom to marry, when to marry, and whether to stay married.
Q4.. Do Asian American marriages differ from non- Asian American marriages in some ways? With so many differences among Asian Americans groups, not to mention differences between couples and individuals, it s s risky to make broad comparisons and generalizations. However, er, some research notes some possible general differences, but much more research is needed to draw strong conclusions. Cultural Adaptation. Nearly 70 percent of Asian Americans were born in their home countries and immigrated to the U.S. The changes associated with immigration are stressful, and most couples born in the United States do not experience these stresses.
Q4.. Do Asian American marriages differ from non- Asian American marriages in some ways? (con t.) Marital Roles. Many Asian American couples, whether they are immigrants, second generation, or interracial, struggle to balance Asian and American cultural norms about the appropriate roles for husbands and wives. Communication Styles. Many Asians do not put the same emphasis on verbal communication in their marriage as do native-born Americans. Some Asian cultures discourage the expression of feelings, especially very strong positive or negative emotions such as anger and joy. Also, some Asian cultures, such as the Chinese culture, value harmony so much that couples choose to avoid bringing up issues that cause conflict.
Q5. What percentage of Asian Americans divorce and is their divorce rate increasing? Asian Americans are less likely to be divorced than the general population. Studies estimate that 5-6% 5 of Asian American adults were currently separated or divorced compared to 10-12% 12% of the U.S population. After 10 years, only 20% of Asian marriages have ended in divorce, compared to 32% of marriages among Whites. The divorce rate among Asian Americans has recently increased. Although Chinese and Japanese Americans are the least likely of all ethnic groups in the United States to divorce, the percentage of divorces in this group has more than doubled since the 1970s.
Q6. What are some contributing factors to the growing Asian American divorce rate? The divorce rate has been growing for Asians in their native countries, and the reasons for this increase may explain the increasing rate of divorce among Asian Americans. Here are some likely reasons. Many of these also explain rising divorce rates among all Americans. Rapid Economic Growth: : An increased focus on wealth and career advancement may increase divorce rates, perhaps because family relationships are given lower priority and work stress spills over into marriage.
Q6. What are some contributing factors to the growing Asian American divorce rate? (con t.) Greater Educational and Employment Opportunities for Women: Asian American women have become increasingly educated and economically independent, which has given them greater freedom to leave unhealthy or unsatisfying relationships. Growing Individualism: : Traditionally, Asian marriage was the union of two families, not just two individuals. Today beliefs have moved away somewhat from that traditional view of marriage. Asian Americans may be less willing to sacrifice personal desires and ambitions for their r families than they were in the past.
Q6. What are some contributing factors to the growing Asian American divorce rate? (con t.) Loosening of Community Control Over Marriage: In the past, tight-knit communities within many Asian cultures kept t struggling couples together by providing instruction and pressure to make peace when there was conflict in a marriage. This control may be relaxing as individualism becomes more important.
Q7. What is the risk of domestic violence in Asian American n marriages? Abuse Rates. Studies have estimated that domestic violence among Asian Americans occurs at least as often, if not more often, than it does in the general U.S. population. Japanese Americans.. One study found that 61% of Japanese American women in Los Angeles experienced some form of spousal abuse during their lifetime compared to 22-31% of the U.S. population. Chinese Americans.. Studies of Chinese and Chinese Americans find a lower l rate of domestic violence compared to Japanese Americans. Korean Americans. One study that focused of divorce among Korean immigrant women found that the most common reason for divorce was the ex-husband husband s s abuse of spouse or children.
Q7. What is the risk of domestic violence in Asian American n marriages? (con t.) Obstacles to Leaving Abusive Relationships. Asian Americans may face more obstacles to leaving abusive relationships than other Americans do. Language barriers or fear of involvement with immigration officials or other legal agencies discourage many from seeking help. Traditional cultural beliefs may y discourage women from reporting violence or encourage them to tolerate it. These beliefs may put pressure on women to maintain harmony and remain devoted to family at all costs. These beliefs also may encourage both men and women to believe that abuse is a normal and acceptable part of relationships.