Adolescents and Young Adults in the Age of Migration

Immigrants in USAlmost 30 percent of the more than 68 million

young adults aged eighteen to thirty-four in the United States today are either foreign born or of foreign parentage

First generationmost-educated (Indians) least-educated (Mexicans) lowest poverty rate (Filipinos) highest poverty rate (Dominicans).

Reflect three very different ways of entering this countrythrough regular immigration channelsWithout legal authorization

Blocks mobility

state-sponsored refugees.

Young and immigrantThese immigrant flows consist primarily of young

adults and their children.second generation—the U.S.-born children of the

immigrants—has been growing rapidlydiffer greatly90% of Whites and Blacks in US are native born,

reverse for Hispanics and Asians.Lumping together conceals cultural variation

DiversityOf the 19 million first- and second-generation

young adults between the ages of eighteen and thirty-four, more than half come from the Spanish-speaking countries of Latin America, 35 percent from Mexico. Salvadorans and Guatemalans together add 5

percent more, Puerto Ricans 4 percentDominicans and Cubans 2 percent each.

GeographyMost live in So. Cal, San Francisco, NYCMany want to support parentsNo pressure to leave homeSharing roomsMany provide monthly supplement to parents

Legal issuesalmost half of immigrant young adults, or nearly 6

million, are estimated to be unauthorized blocks access to the opportunity structure and

paths to social mobility. failure by Congress to pass comprehensive federal

immigration reforms. HostilityUnable to get licenses, etcDo not qualify for financial aid

DREAM Actvcxv failure by Congress to pass

comprehensive federal immigration reforms.

Immigration Quiz

factsFirst generation was by far the least likely to live with

their parents

TrendsIn 1970 only 4% of 18-34 year olds in the US were

foreign born.

TodayAlmost 30% are either foreign born or foreign

parentage (second generation) and continued growth

Immigrant population growing by 1 milllion a year, primarly from Latin America

Mostly young adults and their children (44%)

Ethnic Diversity of Early Adulthood150 countries classified as “Hispanic” or “Asian”Of the 20 million 1st and 2nd generation 18-34 year

olds:More than a 1/3 come from

MEXICO Salvadorans and Guatemalans 5% Dominicans 2% Cubans2%

Asian ImmigrantsFilipinos, Chines, and Indians 4% eachVietnamese, Koreans 2% each

Immigrant FlowUndocumented laborersProfessionalsRefugees

GeographyMany concentrated in Southern Californian NY,

Miami

Ethnic InequalitiesMost educated-F.G. IndiansLeast educated-F. G. MexicansHighest Poverty-F.G. DominicansLowest Poverty F.G.-Filipinos

Generational DifferencesProlonged transition (moving out, marriage)

8th graders in 1988