Asians Fastest Growing Immigrant Group in U.S.

June 19, 2012

Pew Research Center has reported that since 2009 Asians have outnumbered Latinos as new arriving immigrants to the U.S. The center also reported that for the first time since the Great Depression more Mexicans will be leaving the United States than coming to it "due to weakness in the U.S. job market, a rise in deportation and a decline in Mexico’s birthrate."

Pew said that Asians now make up 6% of the U.S. population as compared to representing less than 1%in 1965. The report states:

"Asian Americans are the highest-income, best-educated and fastest-growing racial group in the U.S, with Asians now making up the largest share of recent immigrants. A Pew Research survey finds Asian Americans are more satisfied than the general public with their lives, finances and the direction of the country, and they place a greater value on marriage, parenthood, hard work and career success."

According to Pew, Asians make up about 3/4 of the new H-1B visa-holders. The report states, "Compared with the general public, Asian Americans stand out for their success in education and career." Sixty-one percent of recent Asian immigrants between the ages of 25 to 64 have a college degree,

Many of my own relatives, mostly nieces and nephews, came here from the Philippines over the last decade and are either permanent residents or U.S. citizens now. They all have successful careers in the medical field. My son, John, who was born in the Philippines, became a U.S. citizen in 1999. He is a brilliant graphic artist who is studying animation and simulation. This year he is working on an animated film!

The research found that most Asian American said that the U.S. offers a better life with 73% saying that the U.S. rather than the country of origin offers opportunities to get ahead; 64% found the U.S. a better place to raise children; and 69% found the U.S. better than their homeland in freedom to express political views.

Read the entire report here.