Immigration Intro Text

America has always been shaped by immigration, and each generation has made its impact on the history of the immigration process.

Many communities were formed by immigrant groups. Here in Missouri in the mid-1800s, for example, there were more German language newspapers than English. The first publicly financed kindergarten was created in St. Louis and provided instruction in German.

We are now at another period of changing demographics due to immigration, but this time it is the Hispanic population that is growing. One out of every six people in America identify as Hispanic, with that number increasing to one in four among American youth. How will these new demographics shape the country as we head further into the 21st Century?

Recent Immigration 101 Headlines:

• Births By U.S. Visitors: A Real Issue?

• Faces of Immigration: Martinez, Granddaughter of Immigrants, Rules With Her Head, Not Her Heart

• Blaming Republicans, Obama Tries to Rally Hispanic Support

Category: Intro Text