US Immigration History

We are currently attempting to secure the US southern border, eliminate illegal immigration and restore our immigration policies to be based on need and merit. We have experienced excessive, expensive welfare migration, drug trafficking and crime since 1970.

Immigration to America began in the 1500s to establish colonies for migration from Europe to America. Colonists could gain land holdings not available in Europe and Europe could get needed raw materials and expand their Empires.


The article below shows the legal and illegal immigrant population in the US by decade since 1850.

Settling a new continent required capable people taking risks. Only the tough need apply.

In the 1800s the US needed immigrants to settle territory west of the 13 colonies. This included mostly farmers and ranchers.

In 1850, the US needed immigrants to build infrastructure and work in factories to implement the industrial revolution. The immigrant population was 2 million or 2.5% in 1850.

The high point was 1910 when the US had 14.7% of the population. US immigration rose to 14 million in 1930 or 11.6% of the population. 

Immigration declined to 4.7% by 1970.

In 1930, the Great Depression resulted in lower immigration.

The current surge in immigration began in 1980, despite the fact that we didn’t really have a labor shortage.

Our current surge in immigration began in 1980.

U.S. Immigrant Population and Share over Time, 1850-Present. This chart displays both the number of immigrants residing in the United States and their share of the total U.S. population over time.

Year-Immigrant Population-% of Population

1850 2,244,600 9.7%

1860 4,138,700 13.2%

1870 5,567,200 14.4%

1880 6,679,900 13.3%

1890 9,249,500 14.8%

1900 10,341,300 13.6%

1910 13,515,900 14.7%

1920 13,920,700 13.2%

1930 14,204,100 11.6%

1940 11,594,900 8.8%

1950 10,347,400 6.9%

1960 9,738,100 5.4%

1970 9,619,300 4.7%

1980 14,079,900 6.2%

1990 19,767,300 7.9%

2000 31,107,900 11.1%

2010 39,995,900 12.9%

2017 44,925,900 13.7%

The term "immigrants" (also known as the foreign born) refers to people residing in the United States who were not U.S. citizens at birth. This population includes naturalized citizens, lawful permanent residents (LPRs), certain legal nonimmigrants (e.g., persons on student or work visas), those admitted under refugee or asylee status, and persons illegally residing in the United States.

https://www.migrationpolicy.org/programs/data-hub/charts/immigrant-population-over-time

Comments

The data in this article looks understated. I have seen higher numbers in the 60 million range and believe our illegal welfare migrant number is 30 million and climbing.

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader