Immigration in an Age of Colonization

1. Since 1986 the continuity of immigration has stayed the same in the United States.  The attitude towards immigration have changed since 1986 and it also shows in the laws and regulations of immigration.
2. In the 2000 census, 10.4% of the population was foreign born.  From looking at the chart on page 410 the percentage of foreign born since 1900 to 2000 has had it's ups and downs.  1910 had the highest percentage of foreign born, whereas 1970 had the lowest at 4.7% foreign born.  The rate of foreign born was more steady and higher in 1820-1924 as shown on table 6.3 on page 125.
3. In the 2000 census the largest numbers of immigrants came from Central America (34.5%) and a quarter from Asian (25.5%) The immigrants settlement patterns showed a heavy concentration in the western states."39.9% of the foreign born had settled in that region which was home to only 20.8% of native-born Americans." (Daniels, 411) Also, some regions had heavy immigration such as, south Florida, much of Texas, Chicago and Idaho.  Most immigrants lived in metropolitan regions.  25.8% of the immigrants during this time where college graduates. 44.9% foreign born Asians had bachelor's degrees.  13.3% of foreign borns in 2000 were below the poverty line.  (pg 413)
4. The data on immigrants lumped together is so misleading because it is a generalization.  Daniels says, "Only when we are able to particularize and focus on individual groups, and on classes within those groups, is it possible to speak with any degree of precision."
5. Daniels says the responsible historian must "try to balance, somehow, these extremes and arrive at a reasonable estimate of immigrant status and expectations." (pg 413)
6. "Nonimmigrant" immigrants are also known as "temporary immigrants" they are persons who enter the United States on various kinds of visas that do not entitle them to apply for permanent resident status and which have expiration dates.  The number of "temporary immigrants" has quickly grown.  In 1965 there were two million and in 1998 thirty million were counted! In 1998 the "nonimmigrants" outnumbered immigrants from 10 to 1.  5.25 million of them came from Japan.
7. The major portion of illegal immigrants were "visitors for business" students, "temporary employees" and parolees.  In 1988 there were 4.4 million visitors who came to the U.S. for business.
8. The longstanding discrimination against Mexican as opposed to the Canadian border crossers because the rules are discriminatory.  Canadians are able to travel for business or pleasure without travel restrictions for six months without a visa.  Mexicans may apply for a border crossing card which only lets them stay for no more than 72 hours and only within 25 miles of the border.  Daniels mentions that there is little ever said about the discrimination against Mexicans as opposed to Canadians.  Personally, I think that Mexicans are more often portrayed as drug smugglers or gang members because of what is heard on the media and little negativity is ever heard or even heard about Canadians.
9. The governments estimates of illegal immigrants is so unreliable because there are limitations on data.  The INS has evidence of lost or missing information.  Reminds me of a quote I once heard, "There are lies, damn lies, and statistics."
10. In Daniel's opinion the vast majority of the 1.8% of the U.S. population that is undocumented are "hardworking, exploited toilers doing necessary jobs and not in any way a threat to the republic as some scaremongers would have us believe." (pg 422) I really personally enjoyed reading that quote because when I think of immigrants I think of the men and women who work behind the scenes at restaurants, hotels, farms, and etc. making money to take care of their families and provide for other family members back home.  This quote really stuck out to me and was very touching to read.