What You Can Do About Immigration Reform
Photo Credit: M. Clamer: Photo used for illustrative purposes only/Getty Image
For about immigration-reform issues, visit the National Immigration Forum (www.immigrationforum.org). Ask your senators to support the DREAM Act, which would allow immigrant students who have grown up in the U.S. to apply for legal status. Visit www.congress.org to contact your senators.
TOP 10 COUNTRIES WITH ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS COMING TO THE U.S
1. MEXICO
Total Mexican immigrants in the U.S.: 9.2 million.
Number unauthorized: 5.9 million
The majority of immigrants (legal and illegal) live in California, Texas, Illinois, and Arizona, but the fastest growing population is in the South.
2. CHINA
Total Chinese immigrants in the U.S.: 1.5 million
Number unauthorized: 500,000
South Carolina and Arkansas nearly tripled their Chinese-immigrant populations between 1990 and 2000.
3. PHILIPPINES
Total Filipino immigrants in the U.S.: 1.4 million
Number unauthorized: 85,000
One fourth of all foreign-born in the U.S. armed forces were born in the Philippines.
4. EL SALVADOR
Total Salvadoran immigrants in the U.S.: 817,000
Number unauthorized: 300,000
Narciso Ramirez, who had no governing experience, recently became mayor of a small town in El Salvador based on his reputation for helping people sneak into the U.S.
5. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Total Dominican immigrants in the U.S.: 688,000
Number unauthorized: 91,000
The Dominican Republic is the largest exporter of legal immigrants to New York City. Dominicans represent 10 percent of the 1.1 million students in the New York City public school system.
6. COLOMBIA
Total Colombian immigrants in the U.S.: 510,000
Number unauthorized: 141,000
Every year, Colombia's ongoing conflict drives more than half a million of its citizens from their homes. Over the past five years, 1.2 million Colombians have fled their country.
7. GUATEMALA
Total Guatemalan immigrants in the U.S.: 481,000
Number unauthorized: 144,000
In Arizona, Guatemalans now make up the majority of roofers, a dangerous occupation previously dominated by Mexicans.
8. ECUADOR
Total Ecuadorian immigrants in the U.S.: 299,000
-Number unauthorized: 108,000
Transparency International ranked Ecuador as the 20th most corrupt country out of 133. More than 60 percent of the population lives in poverty and only 40 percent has access to safe drinking water.
9. HONDURAS
Total Honduran immigrants in the U.S.: 283,000
Number unauthorized: 138,000
In June 2006, the U.S. halted the issue of all new visas to Hondurans. The U.S. claims that third party countries, particularly Cubans, easily obtain visas from Honduras for travel to the U.S.
10. BRAZIL
Total Brazilian immigrants in the U.S.: 212,000
Number unauthorized: 77,000
After centuries of taking in immigrants from other continents, Brazil's poor economy and high unemployment turned it into a country of net emigration in the 1980s. Today, around 2 percent of the national population are living abroad, and the United States is the biggest magnet.
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