PPIC Study Focuses On California's Newest Immigrants -- November 21, 2003 -- California Capitol Hill Bulletin -- Volume 10, Bulletin 35

Immigrants form an increasing share of the state's population, though their socioeconomic make-up when they arrive in the United States and subsequent assimilation differ along ethnic lines, according to the new study released by Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC). Using data from the 2000 Census and titled "California's Newest Immigrants", the report paid close attention to immigrants that arrived between 1990 and 2000.

The report found that in 1990, 22 percent of the state's population was foreign-born, and that by 2000 that share had risen to 26 percent. Of the 2.8 million new immigrants who arrived in California within the last 10 years, 46.2 percent were born in Mexico in comparison to 38.2 percent reported in the 1990 Census. New immigrants from India over the years have also become a small but important component of international migration to the state.

The report also found that a greater percentage of Mexican and Central American immigrants live in poverty and crowded housing conditions, as compared to their East and Southeast Asian counterparts. The report points to several factors as possible reasons for the latter situation: Mexican/Central American immigrants tend to be younger and have very low education levels, with 70 percent without a high school diploma. Among the reports other key findings are the following:

- Although California receives far more new immigrants than any other state, its share of the nation's new immigrants has declined from 36 percent in 1990 to 25 percent in 2000;

- India was not in the top 10 sending countries in 1990, but in 2000, it was fifth largest

(4 percent);

- The Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay are home to nearly 75 percent of the state's new immigrants, although they constitute at least 1 percent of the population in every county;

- On average, recent Mexican/Central American immigrants are nearly a full decade younger than those from East and Southeast Asia (24.5 years versus 34 years, respectively);

- Over 40 percent of new immigrants are struggling with the English language, stating that they do not speak English well or at all;

- Over half of new immigrants are in married-couple families with children younger than age 18. Among those new immigrants who are not in family households, approximately equal numbers live in non-relative and other-relative households.

To view the report, visit the Public Policy Institute of California's website at: http://www.ppic.org .

To expand communications between Washington and California, the California Institute provides periodic bulletins regarding current activity on Capitol Hill that directly impacts our state. Bulletins are published weekly during sessions of Congress, and occasionally during other periods.

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