Latino Children: A Majority Are U.S.-Born Offspring of Immigrants

Pew Hispanic Center ^ | May 28, 2009 | Richard Fry and Jeffrey S. Passel

[reaganaut1]

Hispanics now make up 22% of all children under the age of 18 in the United States--up from 9% in 1980--and as their numbers have grown, their demographic profile has changed.

A majority (52%) of the nation's 16 million Hispanic children are now "second generation," meaning they are the U.S.-born sons or daughters of at least one foreign-born parent, typically someone who came to this country in the immigration wave from Mexico, Central America and South America that began around 1980. Some 11% of Latino children are "first generation"--meaning they themselves are foreign-born. And 37% are "third generation or higher"--meaning they are the U.S.-born children of U.S.-born parents.

In 1980, only three-in-ten Latino children were second generation, while nearly six-in-ten were in the third generation or higher. These shifts are noteworthy because many social, economic and demographic characteristics of Latino children vary sharply by their generational status. A Pew Hispanic Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data finds that first and second generation Latino children are less likely than third or higher generation children to be fluent in English and to have parents who completed high school. They are more likely to live in poverty. But they are less likely than third or higher generation Latino children to live in single parent households.

Another characteristic that separates Latino children along generational lines is their legal status. Building on earlier research, the Pew Hispanic Center estimates that 7% of all Hispanic children are unauthorized immigrants. But this share varies sharply by generational status. Two-thirds of the 1.7 million foreign-born Hispanic children are unauthorized, while none of the 6 million Hispanic children in the third generation or higher are unauthorized (as the U.S.-born children of U.S.-born parents, by definition they are U.S. citizens at birth).

[reaganaut1]

Why can't the U.S. adopt an immigration policy in the best interests of its citizens -- one which predominantly educated people who speak English and who are less likely to be a drain on society?

[silverleaf]

some native “culture” eh?

[napscoordinator]

I read that the Irish were not wanted either when they were immigrating over here. I understand they were called “WOPs” (Without Papers). I would imagine that people complained about them too. Although I am not of Hispanic origin, I unstand that every single group that came to America had to fight for acceptance. Once the Hispanics are fully accepted, which group will be next?

[dave9]

this is why we pay taxes

[staytrue]

“Why can’t the U.S. adopt an immigration policy in the best interests of its citizens — one which predominantly educated people who speak English and who are less likely to be a drain on society? “
Because democrats are in charge and even when the republicans had some control, we never had 60 votes to beat a filibuster.

[WOBBLY BOB]

Georgia lawmaker wants to end ‘birthright citizenship’

U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal, a Republican candidate for governor of Georgia, has proposed changing the long-standing federal policy that automatically grants citizenship to any baby born on U.S. soil, a move opposed by crimnalien advocates.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2258255/posts

[lmarie373]

just wait until hyper-inflation kicks in hopefully it will reduce the number and people will leave

[w1andsodidwe]

A Majority Are U.S.-Born Offspring of Immigrants

I would guess a MAJORITY OF ALL AMERICANS meet this criteria. Unless of course your heritage is full blooded indian.

[RasterMaster]

[pallis]

Just guessing, but I suspect that somewhere in the neighborhood of 90 percent of these children will grow up to be good Democrats, thus eliminating the greatness of the America their parents illegally immigrated to. Of course, that might happen so quick, many of them will want to return to the homeland of their illegal parents. I may want to go with them.

[gubamyster]

ping

[AuntB]

Those anchor babies are the gangbangers serving the cartels causing havoc on our streets and voting and electing people like Obama & Villalagrosa (sp? who cares!). NO not all of 'em! But way too many of them.

There is a decent bill now on this....contact your reps! And, yes, congress has the power to correct this 'anchor baby' misinterpretation of the 14th amendment.

Georgia lawmaker wants to end ‘birthright citizenship’ Tue May 26 05:27:42 2009 · AJC.Com

U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal, a Republican candidate for governor of Georgia, has proposed changing the long-standing federal policy that automatically grants citizenship to any baby born on U.S. soil, a move opposed by immigrant rights advocates.

Supporters of Deal’s proposal say “birthright citizenship” encourages illegal immigration and makes enforcement of immigration laws more difficult. Opponents say the proposed law wouldn’t solve the illegal immigration problem and goes against this country’s traditions of welcoming immigrants.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2258255/posts

"Every Person born within the limits of the United States, and subject to their jurisdiction, is by virtue of natural law and national law a citizen of the United States. This will not, of course, include persons born in the United States who are foreigners, aliens, who belong to the families of ambassadors or foreign ministers accredited to the Government of the United States, but will include every other class of persons."

Senator Jacob Howard, co-author of the citizenship clause of the 14th Amendment, 1866.

[Mind Freed]

That’s a good point. Unfortunately, not the mind set of most Americans today. I wish people would also understand that just being of Latino Heritage doesn’t automatically mean illegal. I’m not in favor of converting illegals to citizens at all. However, those immigrants who came the right way and are here just trying to make a living are more than welcome as far as I’m concerned. I’m just not sure how many immigrants that applies to today.

[AuntB]

“I read that the Irish were not wanted either when they were immigrating over here. I understand they were called “WOPs” (Without Papers). I would imagine that people complained about them too. Although I am not of Hispanic origin, I unstand that every single group that came to America had to fight for acceptance. Once the Hispanics are fully accepted, which group will be next?”

Yes, they were complained about, with good reason. They left a crime ridden, poverty stricken mess and brought it with them. The government finally figured out when to stop the flow. That’s what we haven’t figured out yet this time.

The problem is NOT ‘hispanics’ being ‘accepted’. These socialist 3rd worlders want to change this country into just another Mexico with more handouts. I don’t understand how you can encourage a group of people who have vowed to take over this country. And they are well on their way, as evidenced by the most recent LaRaza Scotus nominee.

[Haddit]

From:
Michael D. Antonovich
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Fifth District
http://antonovich.co.la.ca.us/issues/illegalimmigration/index.html

“America’s legal immigrants provide our communities with new vision and fresh energy, strengthening and enhancing our American culture and economy and securing our nation’s dominance in the global economy. Illegal immigration, however, is an affront to those who have legally immigrated. It has had a catastrophic economic effect on our state and county.

The argument that illegals contribute more than they receive in government services is nonsense. Illegal immigration has had a catastrophic economic impact on Los Angeles County. Our bankrupt health care delivery system has become an HMO for the world and criminal illegal aliens are overwhelming our criminal justice system.

Within this County’s health care delivery system, illegals are being treated at a cost of about $400 million dollars a year. The cost alone to our Criminal Justice system for the 25 percent of the illegals that up the jail population exceeds 250 million dollars a year. Additionally, illegals collect over $240 million in CALWORKS payments and $180 million in food stamp allocations. These costs alone exceed one billion dollars annually – excluding the cost of education.
Nearly 100,000 children of 60,000 undocumented parents receive aid – for a total of 160,000. If incorporated into a city, it would be the 6th largest city in Los Angeles county. Also, one in fifteen people in California is an illegal immigrant – costing our State $3 billion dollars annually.

The failure to control our borders and the lack of reimbursement from the state and federal government is breaking the back of local government. These costs have impacted the economy, the social fiber and the effective operation of our County.”

[TADSLOS]

There is constant pressure on Texas school teachers to get certified in English as a Second Language ((ESL)- an oxymoron if there ever was one) on their own time off and dime so that Texas publik screwels (Rush invective added) can accommodate the ever increasing population of English illiterate anchor babies flooding Texas and whose parents can’t/won’t speak a lick of “Englais” at home. Why the pressure? Because Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) scores (A No Child Left Behind product- Thanks for that GW Bush) are at risk, and TAKS scores drive school funding. It’s all about the pesos that are helping shift the political demographic through hispanic culture mining, mi amigos.

[bgill]

The largest influx of Irish immigrants came to America between 1845-50 before we had immigration laws across the country. No, they weren’t wanted but they weren’t illegal. There are legal Hispanics and illegal Hispanics. Most here aren’t against a particular race or culture or nationality but against people who willy disregard our laws and then demand civil rights.

[raybbr]

Once the Hispanics are fully accepted, which group will be next?

I think you have that backwards. Hispanic immigrants have shown no inclination en masse to "accept" the culture they are moving to. The congregate in enclaves around the country and further alienate themselves.

By demanding (and getting) everything in spanish to accommodate them they segregate themselves and maintain a separate culture. They then go on to insist that WE accept their culture into ours.

I personally have no desire to celebrate Cinco de Mayo or have a pinata at my son's birthday party. I don't even want him learning spanish. It means nothing to me. I have no connection with the hispanic culture whatsoever yet at every turn it is being pushed on me and my children.

Being accepted is not required. If they want to be accepted then they should start by accepting the culture they are entering.

[dennisw]

Why can’t the U.S. adopt an immigration policy in the best interests of its citizens — one which predominantly educated people who speak English and who are less likely to be a drain on society?
________________________

Because we have made ourselves slaves to the Mexico and the 3rd world and their family re-unification on American soil. To immigrate to Australia or Canada you have to bring skills and I’m sure English proficiency is a factor

[Isabel C.]

I read that the Irish were not wanted either when they were immigrating over here. I understand they were called “WOPs” (Without Papers). I would imagine that people complained about them too. Although I am not of Hispanic origin, I unstand that every single group that came to America had to fight for acceptance. Once the Hispanics are fully accepted, which group will be next?

Even more animosity is generated against members of a particular nationality when millions of them come here illegally, as Hispanics, mostly Mexicans, have done. At least the Irish spoke English.