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1 Introduction
Pages 7-17

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From page 7...
... Furthermore, over the past 30 years, the source countries of these immigrants to the United States have shifted dramatically, from primarily European countries in the 1950s to primarily Asian and Latin American countries in the 1990s. Now is a good time to take stock of immigration statistics which indicate the number, relative size, and characteristics of immigrant populations, as well as how they fare after entry into the United States.
From page 8...
... Direct and implement the recruitment of a full complement of competent, trained professionals with statistical capabilities and subject-area expertise; . Establish an advisory committee of experts in the use and production of immigration-related data, to advise the associate commissioner and the proposed Division of Immigration Statistics about needs for new or different types of data, to review existing data and data collection methodology, and to provide the Immigration and Naturalization Service with independent evaluation of its statistical products, plans, and performance; · Establish formal liaison with other federal and state agencies involved in the collection and analysis of immigration- and emigration-related data; and · Initiate a review of all data-gathering activities to eliminate duplication, minimize burden and waste, review specific data needs and uses, improve question wording and format design, standardize definitions and concepts, document methodologies, introduce statistical standards and procedures, and promote efficiencies in the use of staff and resources.
From page 9...
... to illegal aliens who were residing in the United States. The legislation also contained a number of provisions aimed at reducing illegal immigration, including an increase in Border Patrol activities.
From page 10...
... It is also important to remember that the dominant view at the turn of the century was that social problems were caused by the existence of immigrantbased ethnic ghettos. Fears about the impact of foreigners on the "American way of life" led to adoption of the national origin quota system of the 1920s, which was revised by the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 (it still based national origin quotas on the 1920 census but set a minimum of 100 and a maximum of 2,000 each for Asian countries)
From page 11...
... Some regions, states, counties, and cities are very heavily affected by immigration, and with quite differing results. In each area, the effects seem to be functions of the general condition of the economy and society, the number and tempo of immigrant admissions, immigrant characteristics (refugee status, education and occupational skill level, culture, and other factors related to employment and adaptability)
From page 12...
... Immigrant adjustment includes changes in individual behavior, such as cultural patterns (English language use and ability, religion, food preferences) , social and economic achievements (labor force participation, job skills, education, income)
From page 13...
... · Labor markets: Labor market outcomes of immigration are frequently discussed in current public policy debates. Some fear that immigrants, particularly illegal immigrants, depress wages and take jobs that would otherwise be filled by native-born workers.
From page 14...
... The extent of these contributions and demands has an impact on the larger society through shifts in the distribution of the tax burden throughout the population; they also may have differential effects on local and state governments. In addition, the public services delivered to immigrants may play a part in modifying the effects they have on other social outcomes: for example, English language improvement programs may increase their general job skills and income, with ultimate impacts on tax revenues and the economy.
From page 15...
... Given these circumstances, the workshop held by the two committees represents a major effort to examine current data collection and analysis on immigration; the committees' recommendations about the needed broad, long-term changes in immigration statistics stem from that examination. Immigration affects a wide variety of social and economic institutionsschools, labor markets, population growth and distribution, and consumer products, to name a few.
From page 16...
... We use the term illegal alien or illegal immigrant to refer to a foreign-born person who resides in the United States illegally. Illegal aliens are often described as if they are a homogeneous group.
From page 17...
... Others who have border-crossing cards enter the United States illegally in order to avoid the lines at the lawful port of entry. Students can become illegal aliens by overstaying the authorization period of their visa or by working beyond the limits authorized by the student visa.


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