Our Earth is a Small World both literally and figuratively!
Globalization is the word used to describe the growing interdependence of the world’s economies, cultures, and populations, brought about by cross-border trade in goods and services, technology, and flows of investment, people, and information.
People around the world continue to leave their homes to make better lives in other countries just like our ancestors did. Let's look at immigration in the past and in the present. Are the reasons for leaving home the same or different?
Here are some stats from the UN:
Today, more people than ever live in a country other than the one in which they were born. According to the Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA).
According to the latest estimates prepared by the Population Division, in 2020, the number of international migrants worldwide – people residing in a country other than their country of birth – reached 281 million. Female migrants constituted 48 per cent of international migrants. Almost three out of four international migrants were aged between 20 and 64 years , whereas 41 million international migrants were under the age of 20. Most international migrants reside in Asia and Europe (31% each), followed by Northern America (21%), Africa (9%), Latin America and the Caribbean (5%) and Oceania (3%).
In 2022, international migrants comprise some 3.5 per cent of the global population, compared to 2.8 per cent in 2000 and 2.3 per cent in 1980.
My ancestors were mostly Irish Famine refugees, and at that time there were no Immigration laws or quotas. The first attempt by the Government to regulate the immigration process was The Immigration Act of 1882. Here a 50 cent tax on non-citizens arriving at ports was charged to set up an "immigration fund" to cover costs, and established passenger screening so that anyone who was a convict, lunatic, idiot, or unable to take of themselves without becoming a "public charge" would not be allowed in.
Also enacted in 1882 was the first "Chinese Exclusion Act" which was the first set of rules about race. Laws regulating Chinese people, including those already here and naturalized, continued through 1904.
In 1917 a literacy test was required of those over 16, and racial exclusions expanded to an "Asiatic Barred Zone" covering (British) India, most of SE Asia, and most of the Middle East, and Russian after their Revolution. Certain professionals and their families were allowed to enter, however, as were those who could prove they faced persecution.
Immigration Quotas were established by law in 1924. Two percent of nationalities counted as being here in 1890 per the census would be allowed
to enter and the total number of people who could immigrate was limited to 164,000. According to the American Holocaust Museum Memorial, "The quotas were designed to 'protect' America’s 'racial stock' by severely limiting 'undesirable' immigrants, including Jews, Asians, and Africans. There were no quotas for immigrants from North or South America." If you check the National Park Site for Ellis Island, there was also a concern they were "too Catholic."
Estimates show that somewhere between 180,000 and 220,000 European refugees immigrated to the United States between 1933 and 1945. Labor shortages caused by WWII brought about the repeal of the Chinese Exclusion laws and saw the first "Bracero" agreement to allow temporary agricultural workers in 1942. The War Brides Act of 1945 allowed foreign spouses and children of honorably discharged veterans to gain admission.
The quota system was abolished in 1965 by the Immigration and Nationality Act (aka Hart-Cellar Act). There are caps on the total number of immigrants admitted, there is no restriction on the number of immediate family members. Laws are further passed to allow for refugees from countries at war.
Well, that's all ancient history by some standards, isn't it? Where are we at in the 21st Century? Latest estimates from the State Department show that about 15% of the US population is made up of immigrants, or 51.6 million people. That is the highest since 1890 (YES! 1890!) when it was 14.8%!
As a colonial country that was formed by immigrants, that number is not really surprising to Genealogists! Unless you're a Native American, you are descended from immigrants, right?
From another Pew Research article, most immigrants to US (77%) are in the country legally. As of 2022:
49% were naturalized U.S. citizens.
24% were lawful permanent residents.
4% were legal temporary residents.
23% were unauthorized immigrants.
However, the number of unauthorized immigrants living in the U.S. in 2022 was still below the peak of 12.2 million in 2007, and those from Mexico dropped to 4.0 million in 2022 from a peak of 6.9 million in 2007.
The top five countries as of 2022 that have permanent migrants are:
US 1,048,000
Germany 641,100
UK 521,200
Spain 471,800
Canada 437,500
We're number one! More people still want to live here, in the greatest country in the world than anywhere else! And why not? We have the best economy after the pandemic, we are still the land of opportunity to make dreams come true, and are already full of diverse and welcoming descendants of immigrants!
How are coming with your brick wall ancestors? Need another set of eyes to look for cracks in that wall? Send me an email! Get a free quote for your family tree building Holiday Gift!
Regards,
Leslie Ryan
“World peace must develop from inner peace. Peace is not just mere absence of violence. Peace is, I think, the manifestation of human compassion.” ― Dalai Lama XIV
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Further reading:
Immigration history and regulations in the US
US Census data for foreign birth residents
Best countries for immigrants
Ellis Island History
The Jetsons Cartoon Show