9.5 Migration and Immigration
🇺🇸AP US History Unit 9 Review
9.5 Migration and Immigration
🇺🇸 AP US History
Since 1980, the United States has changed in where people live and who makes up the population. Migration to the South and West, along with new immigration from Latin America, Asia, and other regions, reshaped politics, labor markets, schools, and culture.
What to Know About Migration and Immigration
- Defense jobs helped start Sunbelt growth during World War II; later jobs, housing, and air conditioning drew more people south and west as Rust Belt states lost electoral votes.
- The 1965 immigration law ended discriminatory quotas, and Latin Americans, especially people from Mexico and Central America, formed the largest group of newcomers as many sought jobs or escaped political violence.
- Asian immigration grew after 1980, including arrivals from China, India, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Korea, and Asian Americans made significant impacts in technology, medicine, and education.
- Immigration policy shifted through the 1986 amnesty for about 3 million undocumented immigrants, higher legal immigration caps in 1990, and DACA protections for some young immigrants in 2012.
- Migration and immigration made the United States more diverse in race, ethnicity, language, and religion; immigrants also filled labor shortages and helped sustain population growth as birth rates declined.
The Rise of the Sunbelt
Americans increasingly moved to the South and West, creating what became known as the "Sunbelt" - an arc stretching from California through the Southwest and Texas to Florida. This population shift changed the balance of economic and political power in the United States.
The Sunbelt's growth began during World War II when defense industries and military bases expanded in these regions. After the war, this trend accelerated for several reasons: new job opportunities, more affordable housing, warmer climate, and improvements like air conditioning that made hot regions more comfortable.
- Reasons for Sunbelt Growth:
- Aerospace and defense industries in California, Florida, and Texas
- Technology companies in Silicon Valley and Texas
- Manufacturing moved from Northeast to Southern states for cheaper labor
- Air conditioning made hot climates more livable
- Lower taxes and less regulation in many Southern states
- More affordable housing compared to Northeast and West Coast
- Effects of the Sunbelt Shift:
- Rust Belt states lost population and electoral votes
- Florida, Texas, and California gained political influence
- Southern cultural influence increased (country music, NASCAR)
- Environmental challenges from rapid development
- Water shortages in growing desert communities
| State | Electoral Votes 1980 | Electoral Votes 2020 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 45 | 55 | +10 |
| Texas | 26 | 38 | +12 |
| Florida | 17 | 29 | +12 |
| New York | 41 | 29 | -12 |
| Pennsylvania | 27 | 20 | -7 |
| Ohio | 25 | 18 | -7 |
Changing Immigration Patterns
The 1980s through 2000s saw significant changes in immigration to the United States. After the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 ended the discriminatory quota system, the number and diversity of immigrants increased dramatically, reshaping American demographics.
Latin American Immigration
Immigration from Latin America, particularly Mexico and Central America, formed the largest group of newcomers to the United States during this period. Economic opportunity and escape from political violence drove many to seek new lives in America.
- Why People Came:
- Better jobs and wages in the United States
- Family members already in the U.S.
- Violence from civil wars in Central America (1980s)
- Drug cartel violence in Mexico and Central America
- Political instability in home countries
- Where They Settled:
- Southwest states (California, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico)
- Major cities like Los Angeles, Houston, Miami
- New destinations in Southeast and Midwest
- Agricultural areas for farm workers
By 2015, Hispanic Americans made up about 16% of the U.S. population, becoming the largest minority group in the country, surpassing African Americans at 13%. This demographic shift created vibrant Hispanic communities in many cities and influenced American culture through food, music, language, and media.
Asian Immigration
Asian immigration increased dramatically after 1980, with particularly large numbers coming from China, India, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Korea. By the 2010s, Asian Americans made up the largest share of new immigrants to the United States.
- Key Groups and Reasons for Immigration:
- Chinese and Taiwanese: education, business opportunities
- Indians: technology jobs, healthcare, education
- Filipinos: healthcare, family reunification
- Vietnamese, Cambodians, Laotians: refugee resettlement
- Koreans: business opportunities, education
- Contributions to American Society:
- Strong presence in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, math)
- Healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses)
- Small business owners and entrepreneurs
- Academic achievement and university enrollment
- Cultural contributions in food, arts, and business
Asian Americans grew from about 1% of the U.S. population in 1960 to 6% by 2020, making significant impacts especially in technology, medicine, and education.
Immigration Debates and Policies
Immigration became an increasingly controversial political issue from the 1980s onward. Americans debated questions about legal status, border security, and the economic and cultural impacts of immigration.
- Major Immigration Policies:
- Immigration Reform and Control Act (1986): Granted amnesty to about 3 million undocumented immigrants under President Reagan
- Immigration Act (1990): Increased legal immigration caps under President Bush
- DACA (2012): Protected young undocumented immigrants brought to U.S. as children under President Obama
- Controversial Issues:
- Undocumented/illegal immigration
- Border security and enforcement
- Economic impacts on American workers
- Path to citizenship debates
- Refugee and asylum policies
- Enforcement priorities and deportations
Presidents took different approaches to immigration. Reagan granted amnesty to millions while later administrations focused more on enforcement. The Obama administration deported record numbers of undocumented immigrants while also creating DACA to protect those brought to the U.S. as children.
Demographic Effects and Cultural Impact
The combined effects of internal migration and immigration significantly changed American demographics. The United States became more diverse in terms of race, ethnicity, language, and religion.
| Group | Percentage 1980 | Percentage 2020 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 80% | 60% | -20% |
| Hispanic/Latino | 6.5% | 18% | +11.5% |
| Black/African American | 11.7% | 13% | +1.3% |
| Asian American | 1.8% | 6% | +4.2% |
- Cultural Changes:
- More languages spoken in American communities
- Growing religious diversity (Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism)
- Fusion cuisine and international food options widespread
- Multilingual media and entertainment
- Celebrations like Cinco de Mayo and Lunar New Year became mainstream
- Economic Impacts:
- Immigrants helped fill labor shortages in many industries
- Contributed to population growth as birth rates declined
- Started many small businesses and created jobs
- Brought specialized skills in technology, healthcare, and other fields
- Sent remittances to families in home countries
Immigration helped maintain U.S. population growth as birth rates declined. Without immigration, the American population would have grown much more slowly or even declined in some regions. These demographic shifts continue to shape American society, culture, and politics as the nation moves further into the 21st century.
Practice Questions for 9.5
1 of 10
Read the following excerpt from a sociological study published in 2008: "The American neighborhood of the twenty-first century defies the old melting pot metaphor. In cities from Los Angeles to Houston, one can find bilingual schools, strip malls featuring both pho restaurants and taquerias, and communities where multiple diasporas maintain distinct transnational ties while simultaneously reshaping American culture."
The author's perspective in the excerpt best illustrates which of the following historical developments?
A.
The increasing cultural diversity resulting from post-1965 immigration laws
B.
The federal government's elimination of national origin quotas in the 1920s
C.
The successful assimilation of all immigrant groups into a single culture
D.
The decline of urban populations as immigrants relocated to rural regions
Vocabulary
The following words are mentioned explicitly in the AP® course framework for this topic.Term | Definition |
|---|---|
American South | The region of the United States comprising the southeastern states, which experienced significant population growth and increased political and cultural influence after 1980. |
American West | The region of the United States comprising the western states, which experienced significant population growth and increased political and cultural influence after 1980. |
Asia | The world's largest continent, from which international migration to the United States increased dramatically after 1980. |
domestic migration | The movement of large numbers of people from one geographic region to another, changing the demographic distribution of a country. |
international migration | The movement of people from one country to another, often in search of economic opportunity or to escape difficult conditions. |
labor force | The total number of people available and willing to work in an economy, including both employed and unemployed individuals. |
Latin America | The region of the Americas south of the United States, including Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, from which international migration to the U.S. increased dramatically after 1980. |
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