by Daniel Nardini
Regardless of whether President Donald Trump builds the U.S.-Mexico border wall as he said he would, immigration by and large is not coming from Mexico anymore. Over the past 10 years, the face of immigration to the United States has been changing. To get an idea of what is really going on, here are some statistical numbers. In 2014, according to the Migration Policy Institute, immigrants make up 13.3 percent of the overall U.S. population. In that same year, the majority of immigrants who came to the United States came from India (147,500), followed by China (131,800), Mexico (130,000), Canada (41,200; that is a surprising one), and the Philippines (40,500). With the exception of Mexico and Canada (both North American countries), it is clear that the largest groups of immigrants are now coming from Asia—specifically East Asia and South Asia.
This is important because it is clear that the pattern of immigration to the United States has changed because the laws for coming to the United States have become more restrictive. It has become clear that America wants immigrants with special job skills, money to invest, and who will most likely start businesses here and stay here. Indian and Chinese immigrants have been doing this, and more important come to this country so they can start their own businesses or work for companies and start-up companies that need what skills they possess. Is it to say that Mexico does not have skilled workers in every category? Yes, it does. However, India and China possess far larger numbers who have the skills and money compared to countries from any other continent. The other thing that must be kept in mind is that India and China, among other Asian countries, have far more people than these countries can utilize. Even with the economic advances both countries have made, they are still in so many ways Third World countries with vast poverty levels.
Besides, the potential for Indian and Chinese immigrants earning more money and making money in the United States is far greater. In Chicago and the greater Chicago metropolitan area, there are virtually countless businesses owned by Indians and Chinese, and this does not take into account how much money their families may have invested in this country in buying up American real estate. Strangely enough, America’s immigration is beginning to mirror Canada’s immigration pattern. The majority of Canada’s immigration is also coming from East Asia and South Asia, and Asian immigrants and people of Asian descent now make up 15 percent of Canada’s population. In my view, America and Americans should be doing a total rethink on immigration and how it will benefit this country.
The Face of Immigration to Come
by Daniel Nardini
Regardless of whether President Donald Trump builds the U.S.-Mexico border wall as he said he would, immigration by and large is not coming from Mexico anymore. Over the past 10 years, the face of immigration to the United States has been changing. To get an idea of what is really going on, here are some statistical numbers. In 2014, according to the Migration Policy Institute, immigrants make up 13.3 percent of the overall U.S. population. In that same year, the majority of immigrants who came to the United States came from India (147,500), followed by China (131,800), Mexico (130,000), Canada (41,200; that is a surprising one), and the Philippines (40,500). With the exception of Mexico and Canada (both North American countries), it is clear that the largest groups of immigrants are now coming from Asia—specifically East Asia and South Asia.
This is important because it is clear that the pattern of immigration to the United States has changed because the laws for coming to the United States have become more restrictive. It has become clear that America wants immigrants with special job skills, money to invest, and who will most likely start businesses here and stay here. Indian and Chinese immigrants have been doing this, and more important come to this country so they can start their own businesses or work for companies and start-up companies that need what skills they possess. Is it to say that Mexico does not have skilled workers in every category? Yes, it does. However, India and China possess far larger numbers who have the skills and money compared to countries from any other continent. The other thing that must be kept in mind is that India and China, among other Asian countries, have far more people than these countries can utilize. Even with the economic advances both countries have made, they are still in so many ways Third World countries with vast poverty levels.
Besides, the potential for Indian and Chinese immigrants earning more money and making money in the United States is far greater. In Chicago and the greater Chicago metropolitan area, there are virtually countless businesses owned by Indians and Chinese, and this does not take into account how much money their families may have invested in this country in buying up American real estate. Strangely enough, America’s immigration is beginning to mirror Canada’s immigration pattern. The majority of Canada’s immigration is also coming from East Asia and South Asia, and Asian immigrants and people of Asian descent now make up 15 percent of Canada’s population. In my view, America and Americans should be doing a total rethink on immigration and how it will benefit this country.