Migration and Immigration Patterns in the 1990s and 2000s

Internal Migration in the US

  • Migration: Movement within a country.
  • Immigration: Movement into a country from another place.
  • Post-World War II: Significant migration to the Sunbelt states due to:
    • Defense industry jobs.
    • Desire to escape cold northern winters.
  • Continuation of Sunbelt migration into the 1990s and 2000s, enhanced by affordable central air conditioning.

Political Consequences of Migration

  • Sunbelt states generally lean more conservative.
  • Population growth in the South and Southwest led to increased representation in the House of Representatives.
  • Northern and Midwestern states experienced population decline and loss of House seats.

International Immigration

  • During the 1990s and 2000s, international immigrants increasingly moved to the Sunbelt states.
  • Many immigrants came from Latin America seeking agricultural work, particularly in California.
  • Immigrants also arrived from Asian and Middle Eastern countries.

Economic Impact of Immigration

  • Economists generally agree that immigration has a positive impact on the American economy.
  • Mexican immigrants have filled many low-wage agricultural jobs in the Sunbelt states.
  • These are often jobs that native-born Americans are unwilling to do.

Demographic Shifts

  • Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, and increase in illegal immigration significantly impacted American demographics.
  • Pre-1965: International immigration contributed about 10% to American population growth.
  • Post-1965: International immigrants account for approximately a third of America's population growth.
  • 1990s: Over 9 million immigrants entered the U.S., with many settling in the Sunbelt states.
  • Sharp increase in the proportion of immigrants in the U.S. population.
  • Decline in the proportion of the white population:
    • 1990s: White Americans comprised about 75% of the U.S. population.
    • 2011: White Americans were slightly more than 63% of the U.S. population.

Future Projections

  • Demographic predictions indicate that by 2050, white Americans may no longer be the majority demographic in the United States, assuming current trends continue.