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U.S. Population

 

Immigration into the United States fluctuated throughout the 20th century because of varying economic conditions. But, the changes made by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 added a dramatic increase to the number of immigrants allowed into the United States. The chart below depicts the increase in population per decade during the 20th century with a brief description below of how immigration numbers impacted the growth.


Decades of the Great Wave of Immigration

 

1900-1910
The Great Wave of Immigration began in 1880 but exploded into peak numbers during the first decade of the century. The massive numbers of immigrants reached a cumulative total that began to substantially change the character of the entire country from one primarily of towns and farms into one of densely packed urban centers. This decade saw more growth than any previous decade in U.S. history. The rapid population growth was destroying huge sections of the country's once bountiful natural resources, leading to the establishment of federal systems of parks and other preservation programs.

1910-1920
World War I slowed immigration considerably during the middle of the decade. But high immigration at the beginning and end, and high immigrant and native fertility, kept total population growth high.

1920-1930
Americans of nearly every station in life rose up in revulsion at the incredible pace of change and congestion caused by the previous two decades of immigration-driven population growth. By 1925, Congress had reduced immigration numbers toward more traditional levels. The annual population growth rate at the end of the decade had been cut almost in half from the beginning. But very high immigration of the first half of the decade, and the momentum caused by the high fertility of the greatly enlarged population, helped the 1920s to set yet another record for highest population growth.

 

The Great Depression Decade

1930-40

The 1924 immigration law and the Great Depression kept immigration below traditional levels. And Americans greatly reduced their fertility to respond to the dire economic times, cutting total population growth for the decade nearly in half from each of the previous three decades.

 

The Baby Boom Decades

1940-50
After the end of World War II in 1945, immigration grew back toward traditional levels and Americans began to create very large families. The giant spike in fertility came to be known as the Baby Boom, a demographic phenomenon that changed every aspect of American society and that continues to drive a lot of the social and political agenda to this day.

1950-60
This was the peak of the Baby Boom, adding nearly the equivalent of the entire U.S. population at the time of the Civil War. Combined with other factors, this led to an enormous conversion of farmland and natural habitats into sprawling suburbs. This new record for the biggest population boom ever was widely thought to be a special phenomenon reflecting pent-up pressures from the Depression and the war and one that would never be repeated or exceeded.

1960-70
Exhausted from years of frantic efforts to expand the nation's infrastructure to handle its large families and burgeoning population, Americans rapidly reduced their fertility through the last decade of the Baby Boom. The growth rate at the end of the decade was a third lower than at the beginning. A vigorous social and political movement emerged calling for Americans to keep their fertility to a replacement level rate to enable the country to eventually stabilize its population.

 

Low-Fertility/Immigration Tidal Wave Decades

1970-80
The American fertility rate fell to replacement level in 1972, making it possible for the nation to eventually reach a widely held dream for a stable population. A national government commission recommended that the nation would be best served in reaching its environmental, economic and social goals by a stabilizing population. Numerous experts and commentators predicted that each decade would see lower and lower population growth until early in the 21st century there would be no growth at all.

1980-90
Despite continuing below-replacement-level fertility, population growth continued at the level of the previous decade. The reason was that Congress had created a system of chain migration that snowballed and doubled annual legal immigration over traditional levels. Further adding to the population, Congress for the first time ever rewarded illegal aliens -- about 3 million of them -- with a path to citizenship. Federal immigration policy was negating the results of Americans choosing to have smaller families.


Find out who is forcing this massive U.S. population growth

Take action to help prevent this additional U.S. population explosion

1990-2000
The dream of a stabilized — or even a stabilizing — population was proven to be nothing but a fairy tale as U.S. population exploded with its biggest growth ever. The Baby Boom peak was exceeded — not by a big increase in Americans' babies but because Congress further increased immigration to a level almost quadruple the traditional level. And federal decisions to stop enforcing most laws against illegal immigration in the interior of the country led to additional higher levels of illegal aliens in the country. Yet another cause of the boom was immigrant fertility. Although American natives maintained a below-replacement-level fertility rate, immigrant fertility was at a similar rate to the U.S. Baby Boom fertility of the 1950s.

 

Prospects for the Future

The immigration tidal wave of the last three decades has made it impossible for Baby Boomers to ever enjoy the 1970s dream of a stabilized country — even if all immigration were stopped tomorrow. The Census Bureau states that if immigration were reduced to replacement level, the United States population would still be growing at the end of the century because of the momentum created by the last three decades of immigration.

What IS our traditional immigration? Well, nobody can say there is just one definition. Because immigration has always had wide swings, there is no level that predominated throughout our history. But by running averages over various periods, we can get a sense of traditional averages in which there were long enough and deep enough lulls to handle previous peaks, etc. Here are some options for looking at our traditions:
Since 1970, the U.S. population grown by more than 90 million, according to the U.S. Bureau of the Census.  To find similar population growth in foreign countries, we must look to the Third World.  Although its frontiers were declared closed a century ago, the United States today is adding population at a numerical level just under the phenomenal Baby Boom, which far exceeded all other periods of U.S. population growth.

Third World Growth — California Style

Immigration is a major cause of urban sprawl
You don't have to take a jet to see Third World growth - just take a look around the entire Sacramento region! California, Sacramento County, Placer County and El Dorado County are unfortunately experiencing the same growth rates as many of the world's poorest and most overpopulated countries.

Call for Population Stabilization (1970s)

Sen. Gaylord Nelson, Earth Day founder
Around 1970, U.S. population and environmental issues were widely and publicly linked.

Our National Tradition, Until the 1965 Congress Drastically Changed the Rules

We became a nation with the Declaration of Independence in 1776, so that makes a legitimate starting point. And because the 1965 Act so radically changed the numbers, it is fair to talk about what went before as being our traditions ...

Origin of population figures for traditional immigration

Origin of the 250,000 figure for traditional immigration   ...

Three Possible Causes of Biggest U.S. Population Boom Ever

THREE CAUSES: Native fertility? Immigration? Immigrant fertility?

Question: If Congress reduces immigration to replacement level now, how much will that reduce U.S. population growth?

The chart below depicts the increase in the number of Americans from 1970 on. The green portion represents growth from people who lived in America in 1970, and their descendants.

Sorting Through Humanitarian Clashes In Immigration

Roy Beck demonstrates the futility of the humanitarian argument for mass immigration
[This is updated from a paper that was prepared for and presented to the 1997 Annual Conference on Applied Ethics at California State University at Long Beach.]

Our Immigration Traditions

Which is our immigration tradition? ...

Our New Immigration "Tradition"

Our Mass Immigration Tradition since the inadvertent effects of the 1965 act have given us these two periods: THE POST-1965 CHAIN MIGRATION WAVE 1966-1989: 507,000 per year average ...

Americans Prefer Lower Immigration Numbers

Sixty-five percent of adults nationwide would like to see the the number of illegal aliens currently in this country reduced.

Question: If Congress doesn't change immigration policies, what will happen by the end of the century?

In this chart, the green area represents the natural population growth of America since 1970, if the number of immigrants arriving each year since had been the same as the number of Americans permanently moving away (currently that is an

In the News

U.S. census sparks feud over the counting of illegal immigrants

In the News - Sunday, May 31, 2009

In a high-stakes battle that could affect California's share of federal funding and political representation, immigrant activists are vowing to combat efforts by a national Latino clergy group to persuade 1 million illegal immigrants to boycott the 2010 U.S. census.

The Washington, D.C.-based National Coalition of Latino Clergy & Christian Leaders, which says it represents 20,000 Latino churches in 34 states, recently announced that a quarter of its 4 million members were prepared to join the boycott as a way to intensify pressure for legalization and to protect themselves from government scrutiny.

By Teresa Watanabe -- Los Angeles Times

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-boycott31-2009may31,0,3637804.story

Most U.S. Hispanic Kids Have Immigrant Parents

In the News - Friday, May 29, 2009

A majority of Hispanic children are now U.S.-born children of immigrants, primarily Mexicans who came to this country in an immigration wave that began about 1980, according to a report released yesterday.

The analysis of census data by the nonpartisan, Washington-based Pew Hispanic Center charts a substantial demographic shift among the nation's 16 million Hispanic children, who constitute one of the fastest growing child populations in the United States and account for more than one of five U.S. children. As recently as 1980, nearly six of 10 Latino children were in the third generation or higher, meaning that their parents, and often their grandparents and great-grandparents, were native-born U.S. citizens. Only three of 10 were in the second generation -- born in the United States to parents who immigrated.

By N.C. Aizenman -- Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/28/AR2009052801506.html

A Better Life Beckons in Africa

In the News - Tuesday, May 26, 2009

While that may seem counterintuitive to Americans accustomed to bleaker images of Africa, recent studies have documented the flight of immigrant professionals from the United States to their home countries. Chinese and Indian workers increasingly say they see better opportunities and lifestyles at home. And diaspora associations of Nigerians, Ghanaians, Kenyans and other Africans say their members -- mostly from middle-class backgrounds -- are joining the exodus, choosing life in the land of slow Internet connections and power outages over the pressures of recession-era America.

By Stephanie McCrummen -- Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/25/AR2009052502313.html?hpid=topnews

Immigration raid leaves damaging mark on Postville, Iowa

In the News Quoted - Tuesday, May 12, 2009

"Since the landmark raid, an economic squeeze has destroyed several businesses. Postville's population has shrunk by nearly half, to about 1,800 residents, and townsfolk say the resulting anxiety -- felt from the deli to the schoolyard -- has been relentless.

"It's like you're in an oven and there's no place to go and there's no timer to get you out," said former Mayor Robert Penrod, who, overwhelmed, resigned earlier this year....

Roy Beck, head of the Washington-based NumbersUSA group that advocates for reducing immigration, argued that Postville invited its problems by relying so heavily on a plant many suspected was violating labor and immigration laws.

"The situation should have never gotten to that point," he said. "If you don't enforce the laws steadily, then when you suddenly enforce them, there is more collateral damage....""

Antonio Olivo, LA Times, 12 May 2009

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-postville-iowa12-2009may12,0,6761812.story

Our view on legal immigration: Congratulations, graduate. Now leave the USA.

In the News - Tuesday, May 12, 2009

"Around this time each year, thousands of foreign students graduate with science and engineering degrees from U.S. universities. Many are eager to stay in America and contribute to the U.S. economy.

So does the United States welcome them with open arms? No, the government tells thousands of them to hit the road — and take their sought-after skills and brainpower to countries and companies that compete with the USA.

Talk about a self-defeating immigration policy...."

Op-ed, USA Today, 12 May 2009

http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2009/05/our-view-on-legal-immigration-congratulations-graduate-now-leave-the-usa.html

Naturalized citizens are poised to reshape California's political landscape

In the News - Monday, May 11, 2009

More than 1 million immigrants became U.S. citizens last year, the largest surge in history, hastening the ethnic transformation of California's political landscape with more Latinos and Asians now eligible to vote.

Leading the wave, California's 300,000 new citizens accounted for nearly one-third of the nation's total and represented a near-doubling over 2006, according to a recent report by the U.S. Office of Immigration Statistics. Florida recorded the second-largest group of new citizens, and Texas claimed the fastest growth.

By Teresa Watanabe -- Los Angeles Times

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-newcitizens11-2009may11,0,5503985.story

California counties cut healthcare to illegal immigrants

In the News - Monday, April 27, 2009

"Forced to slash their budgets, some California counties are eliminating nonemergency health services for illegal immigrants -- a move that officials acknowledge could backfire by shifting the financial burden to emergency rooms.

Sacramento County voted in February to bar illegal immigrants from county clinics at an estimated savings of $2.4 million. Contra Costa County followed last month by cutting off undocumented adults, to save approximately $6 million. And Yolo County is voting on a similar change next month, which would reduce costs by $1.2 million."

Anna Gorman, LA Times, 27 April 2009

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-immighealth27-2009apr27,0,3560878.story

SHRM-Backed Bill Launches Employment Verification Debate

In the News - Thursday, April 23, 2009

"With momentum building for Congress to address comprehensive immigration reform later this year, two members of the House have introduced a bill to put employment verification at the center of the debate.

Written by Reps. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Arizona, and Sam Johnson, R-Texas, the measure would establish a mandatory electronic verification system that replaces an existing government-run system that has been roundly criticized by employer groups...."

Mark Schoeff, Workforce Management, 23 April 2009

http://www.workforce.com/section/00/article/26/37/71.php

Department of Homeland Security ordered to reopen immigration cases

In the News - Wednesday, April 22, 2009

"A Los Angeles federal court judge has issued a preliminary ruling ordering the Department of Homeland Security to reopen the immigration cases of nearly two dozen people who were denied green cards because their U.S. citizen spouses died during the process.

U.S. District Judge Christina A. Snyder wrote in the 35-page decision that the department must follow a 9th Circuit Court decision from 2006 saying that applicants don't lose their status as spouses because the government didn't rule on their cases before the citizen's death."

Anna Gorman, LA Times, 22 April 2009

http://http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-widow22-2009apr22,0,3369828.story

Obama Discusses Immigration with Central American Presidents

In the News - Sunday, April 19, 2009

"U.S. President Barack Obama on Sunday displayed great receptivity to the proposals of his Central American counterparts on the question of immigration reform, several of the leaders said after their meeting....

“There was commitment to support comprehensive immigration reform. Details were not discussed, but supporting the process was. The atmosphere was very good, cordial, sincere,” Colom said.

He and his colleagues from El Salvador, Tony Saca, and Honduras, Manuel Zelaya, emphasized that Obama had been especially receptive to one of the major concerns of Central American countries: the matter of deportations.

Latin American Herald Tribune (Caracas, Venezuela), 19 April 2009

"U.S. President Barack Obama on Sunday displayed great receptivity to the proposals of his Central American counterparts on the question of immigration reform, several of the leaders said after their meeting....

“There was commitment to support comprehensive immigration reform. Details were not discussed, but supporting the process was. The atmosphere was very good, cordial, sincere,” Colom said.

He and his colleagues from El Salvador, Tony Saca, and Honduras, Manuel Zelaya, emphasized that Obama had been especially receptive to one of the major concerns of Central American countries: the matter of deportations.

On the immigration issue, which completely dominated the meeting, the leaders also discussed matters like the possibilities for ensuring family reunification, quotas for agricultural jobs and the fight against drug trafficking, all within a friendly atmosphere amid which the leaders agreed in general terms on almost everything they talked about."

Latin American Herald Tribune (Caracas, Venezuela), 19 April 2009

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