Lesson 4: Immigration and Demographic Change

How can immigrants become citizens of the United States?

1. can be related to US residents or citizens 2. can be sponsored by employers, colleges, or universities 3. can be seeking refugee or asylum status 4. have been selected by the lottery system

What are examples of pull factors?

1. government stability and safety 2. social acceptance 3. family members in the area 4. job opportunities or a high standard of living

Why do immigrants illegally come to the United States?

1. have an inability to meet, or a lack knowledge of, the legal entry requirements 2. personal circumstances that hasten their desire to enter the US

What are examples of push factors?

1. war or persecution 2. drought or famine 3. high unemployment or a low standard of living

"Great Migration"

1914-1940, African Americans left Southern farms in search of jobs in Northern cities

Because of the baby boom, senior citizens make up a. a larger share of the population than ever before. b. a smaller share of the population than ever before. c. a larger share of US immigrants than ever before. d. a smaller share of US immigrants than ever before.

A) a larger share of the population than ever before.

Despite growing numbers, minority groups in the US continue to face a. high poverty rates. b. obstacles to marrying. c. obstacles to migration. d. segregation and unfair laws.

A) high poverty rates.

Which statement best summarizes family life in the United States today? a. Population changes have lessened the importance of families in American life. b. Family structures are changing, but families remain important to American life. c. Rising marriage rates have made families a more important part of American life. d. A rise in divorce rates has reduced the importance of families in American life.

B) Family structures are changing, but families remain important to American life.

Which statement best describes illegal immigration to the United States today? a. The United States has completely stopped illegal immigration. b. US officials want more funding to increase illegal immigration. c. People cannot agree on how to treat undocumented immigrants. d. The number of undocumented immigrants in the US is very small.

C) People cannot agree on how to treat undocumented immigrants.

Which is an example of a pull factor resulting in immigration? a. drought or famine b. high unemployment c. job opportunities d. persecution for beliefs

C) job opportunities

Which trend contributes to the long-term impact of the US baby boom? a. rising immigration rates b. rising birth rates c. rising life expectancy d. rising retirement age

C) rising life expectancy

Look at the map. Based on the map, which region of the United States has the highest Latino population? a. the Northeast b. the Southeast c. the Southwest d. the Northwest

C) the Southwest

Read the passage from the Houston Chronicle about air quality in Houston in 2019. "I'm surprised and disturbed that Houston's air quality worsened in this year's [American Lung Association 'State of the Air'] report," said Luke Metzger, director of Environment Texas. "The trend since 1999 had been one of steady progress and instead now it seems we are backtracking and that's bad news particularly for the hundreds of thousands of people who have asthma or other vulnerable populations like senior citizens. . . ." Current models estimate that more than 60 percent of ozone pollution is from cars, according to Raun, and to address that, the city is trying to encourage practices such as the use of mass transit and transitioning to fuel-efficient or low-emission vehicles. Which statement best describes air quality in Houston since 1999? a. Air pollution has been steadily increasing in Houston since 1999. b. Air pollution has been steadily decreasing in Houston since 1999. c. Air pollution has varied depending on climate conditions since 1999. d. Air pollution has steadily decreased since 1999, before suddenly increasing.

D) Air pollution has steadily decreased since 1999, before suddenly increasing.

By 2010, three out of four Americans a. were older than 65. b. lived in the Sun Belt. c. were immigrants. d. lived in urban areas.

D) lived in urban areas.

The baby boom generation is significant because it was a. a young generation entering the US workforce. b. the generation born after the invention of computers. c. a generation that required little government help. d. the largest generation born in US history.

D) the largest generation born in US history.

How has family structure affected the demographics of the United States?

family structure has changes in the recent decades, less people are getting married, half of all marriages end in a divorce, single-parent families and other family types have increased, more Americans are living in multigenerational homes with family members

urbanization

growth of cities

How has immigration contributed to diversity?

immigrants help shape American culture by sharing food, customs, architecture, language, goods, and services from their country of origin, by 2050, half of the US population will belong to one or more ethnic minority groups

undocumented immigrants

immigrants who enter a country illegally

How has the Baby Boom generation affected the demographics of the United States?

longer life expectancy and the growing population of people over the age of 65 has increased the costs of Medicare and Social Security for the government

Post World War II

many people moved to the newly suburbs where there were new jobs and affordable homes

Today

more than half of all Americans live in suburbs that include more immigrants and minorities

pull factors

reasons to go to a place

push factors

reasons to leave a place

urbanization

the movement of people from rural areas to cities

demographics

the study of populations and population change

How has income and poverty affected the demographics of the United States?

there is a wider gap between the rich and poor which is increasing, poverty unevenly affects minorities such as African Americans and American Indians

How do lawmakers feel about undocumented immigrants?

there is much debate of whether undocumented immigrants should be able to access healthcare and education, be allowed to stay in the US and given US citizenship to parents whose children were born in the US