New immigration data has been released from the census bureau’s most recent American Community Survey. While the number of immigrants living in the US has risen 16% since 2000, certain places, which have not traditionally drawn immigrants, are now starting to do so.
From the 08/15/06 NY Times (sub required)
“the Pew Hispanic Center showed that while 58 percent of the immigrants who arrived in the United States since 2000 settled in 5 of the traditional gateway states, 24 percent settled in 9 second-tier states (including Georgia, Massachusetts and Washington) and 11 percent found homes in 11 third-tier states, many of which have seen little immigration before (stretching from Connecticut to Minnesota to Nevada).”
For a more local view, reporter’s Layton and Keating at the Washington Post (sub required) wrote an excellent piece exploring the Washington DC region’s unique immigrant population. Befitting a leading creative economy, the region has more educated immigrants than most other places, greater diversity among immigrants (country of origin), and also a greater percentage of english speaking immigrants.
(posted by Richard)
August 16th, 2006 at 9:58 pm
Immigration laws actually create the market for illegals, along with right to work laws. Repeal both and workers will unionize in the south (including immigrants) and the demand for cheap labor will dry up, since all things being equal American employers will hire American workers. Some workers may require remedial literacy training to make things equal, of course, but this can be accomplished with either a tax credit for firms who hire the linguistically challenged (either ESL or less skilled native speakers) or the provision of direct education through either public or parochial school programs (but with taxpayer funding). More than physical infrastructure, a skilled workforce is a way for regions to gain competitive advantage.
August 17th, 2006 at 12:09 am
Richard, have you seen the recent double issue of The Nation (August 28/September 4)? There are four long articles about “the new nativism”. One about The Minutemen, one about Lou Dobbs and the media, one about the history of nativism in the US, and another general piece. They are quite good. I am sure you can find them all on The Nation website.
August 17th, 2006 at 9:09 am
Brian,
Thanks for the heads up. Here is the link to the issue. It appears that 3 of the 4 articles are available to non-subscribers. Thanks again.
http://www.thenation.com/issue/20060828
August 17th, 2006 at 12:39 pm
Brian and David,
The sad fact is that nativism is self-perpetuating. The more nativists rattle their jaws, the stricter the laws become and the more illegal immigration is attractive to employers.
The nativists will argue that if you enforce the sanctions in current law, which is begining to occur, the hiring of illegals will stop. Possibly, possibly not. My bet is campaign contributions will stop or will accompany a wink and a nod to stop the enforcement.