Steven A. Camarota [email protected] Center for Immigration Studies Washington, D.C.

www.cis.org

Center for Immigration Studies

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Number & percent of US population

Illegal Immigrants 11.5 million in 2013 8.5 million in 2000 3.5 million 1990 31,1 41.3

Immigrant population

–

Doubled since 1990

–

Nearly tripled since 1980

–

Quadrupled since 1970 25 10 20 15 9,6 14,1 19,8

11.1% 7.9% 13.1%

5 0

4.7%

1970

6.2%

1980 1990 2000 2013 Source: Decennial Census and 2013 American Community Survey, DHS, Pew Hispanic Center.

Immigration Impacts – Population size – Composition/culture – Labor market/economy – Public coffers – Politics

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 Legal permanent (“green card”) over 1 million annually   66% family sponsored • 16% employment-based 13% refugees and asylees • 5% lottery  Long-term temporary, about 2 million total in country   45% guest workers & family • 38% student & family 13% exchange visitors • 5% diplomats & family  Illegal immigrants   Maybe 40% visa overstayers • 2/3 border jumpers (EWIs) 10 grade education on average Source: Yearbook of Immigration Statistics, DHS estimates of the unauthorized immigrant population, DHS estimate of the non-immigrant population.

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Differences largely reflect educational attainment 80% 69% 66% 75% 69% Examples: India 53% 6% 9% 16% 25% 19% 25% 10% 26% 9% 5% Mexico Honduras Share with college education Share in or near poverty Welfare use Households w/children Self-Employment Source March 2011/2010 Current Population Survey. In or near poverty defined as <200% of poverty threshold, welfare includes SSI, TANF, free lunch, WIC, food stamps, Medicaid, subsidized or public housing. – 4

No evidence of labor shortage

Natives were 2/3 of population growth but all employment gains went to immigrants, 2000-2014

100% Immigrant

Share of natives of every education level holding a job has declined dramatically 2000-2014

86% 78% Some College Bachelor's+ 82% 66% Native 74% High School only 68% 65% 34% Immigrant 52% Share of population growth

a Figures are for ages 16 to 65. b Figure are for Ages 18 to 65. 2014 – 5

 Immigration will remain big issue, not going to be “resolved”  Education level is a key variable  ◦ ◦ American workers continue to struggle 58 million (16 to 65) not working Little to no wage growth 

Try not to let special interests and sentimentality dominate your thinking

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