Understanding Legal Issues of New Populations

1. Understanding Legal Issues of New Populations Introduction Harriett A. Paul Florida A&M University

2. Module 5 Module 5 is designed for the Extension Educator working in communities with new immigrant populations.

3. Introduction The Introduction provides demographics on new immigrant groups in the U.S.: Their Countries of Origin; Their Socio-economic History; and Where They Are Settling in the U.S.

4. MAJOR IMMIGRANT GROUPS BY REGION OF ORIGIN  1820-2002 Europe 38,816,282 The Americas 18,506,482 Asia 9,479,289 Africa 795,428 Oceania 274,256 Handout available. Historically, Europeans have been the dominant immigrant group.Handout available. Historically, Europeans have been the dominant immigrant group.

5. Immigration Levels in the 20th Century

6. Immigration Trends of the Past 80 Years European immigration dominated until World War II. The decline in European immigrants entering the U.S. during the war years quickly recovered following the war (1947-53), a period during which the U.S. admitted record numbers of Europeans.European immigration dominated until World War II. The decline in European immigrants entering the U.S. during the war years quickly recovered following the war (1947-53), a period during which the U.S. admitted record numbers of Europeans.

7. TOP TEN IMMIGRANT GROUPS BY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN 2002 Mexico India China Philippines Vietnam El Salvador Cuba Bosnia-Herzegovina Dominican Republic Ukraine As European immigration declined during the war years, immigrants from North America entered the U.S. in record numbers. Those numbers took a steep decline following the war, as European immigration returned to pre-war levels. The changing trend of the late 20th Century, about 1981-87, was the dramatic rise in Asian immigration. Both Asian and North American immigration has grown steadily over the past 20 years, with North American immigrants representing the largest group, primarily due to Mexican immigrants, at 20.6 percent of the total number of immigrants admitted during FY 2002.As European immigration declined during the war years, immigrants from North America entered the U.S. in record numbers. Those numbers took a steep decline following the war, as European immigration returned to pre-war levels. The changing trend of the late 20th Century, about 1981-87, was the dramatic rise in Asian immigration. Both Asian and North American immigration has grown steadily over the past 20 years, with North American immigrants representing the largest group, primarily due to Mexican immigrants, at 20.6 percent of the total number of immigrants admitted during FY 2002.

10. Selected Demographic Characteristics FY 2002 Admissions Total Admissions 2002 - 1,063,732 Gender: Male - 485,596 Female - 577,868 Unknown - 268

11. Selected Demographics2002 Age: Under 16 Years 186,328 16-20 Years 102,479 21 Years and Over 774,716 Unknown 209

12. Selected Demographics2002 Marital Status: Single 375,451 Married 644,892 Widowed 23,751 Divorced/Separated 16,091 Unknown 3,547

13. Selected Demographics2002 Occupation: Executive & Managerial 29,277 Professional & Technical 79,370 Sales 14,869 Administrative Support 12,838 Farming, Forestry, Fisheries 9,028 Laborers, Fabricators 35,638 Precision Prod, Craft, Repair 13,206 Service 33,948

14. Selected Demographics2002 Occupation (continued): No Occupation/not working Outside home 414,593 Homemakers 113,725 Students or Children 254,821 Retirees 3,585 Unemployed 42,462 Unknown 420,965

15. Where Are the New Populations Settling In the U.S.? The Following Data Provides the Top Ten States and Metropolitan Areas Selected By Immigrants As Their Preferred Place of Residence from 2000-02.

18. What Is the Potential Social Service Impact on these Communities? Health Issues and Costs Educational Services Training Needs – Employees & Employers; Life-skills Language Barriers The Need for & Access To Public Assistance Obtaining Licenses/Operating a Motor Vehicle, etc.

19. How Organized & Knowledgeable Is Your Community? Are There Community Support Groups Actively Working with New Immigrants In Your Community? Do They Work In Rural Areas? What Services Do They Provide?

20. Support From Public Policy & Elected Officials Does Your Local Public Policy Promote Multiculturalism & Community Unity? Are Your Public Officials Involved In Issues Affecting All Groups In the Community?

21. Support From Public Policy & Elected Officials Does Your Community Sponsor Events with Multicultural Themes, e.g., Parades, Picnics, Fundraisers for Special Projects, Health Seminars In A Second Language, etc.?

22. How Prepared Is Your Business Community? Are Potential Employers Aware of the Work Habits and Customs that May Affect the Work Performance of the New Immigrants?

23. How Can the Extension Educator May A Difference? Improve Your Knowledge & Understanding of the New Population, e.g., Culture-Customs Work Habits-Ethics Major Health Issues Common to the Group Socio-economic History, Need for Life-skills Training & Public Benefits.

24. The Extension Educator Can Be An Effective Agent Of Change Be Proactive: Meet With Business & Public Service Groups to Begin to Match Needs With Services. Talk With Business Groups and Potential Employers About Technical, Vocational, Agricultural and Other Skills that May Exist In the Community of New Immigrants. Organize Short Employer Training Activities to Assist the Employer In Creating A Positive Work Environment.