Living in two worlds without documentation
In today’s world, the immigration experience is different from what it was for many in the past. Previous generations left the “old country” behind, emotionally as well as physically. That, however, isn’t the case any more. Many immigrants retain close connections to their home countries. They are people living with feet planted in two worlds—“citizens” (if they are) of the country they left and of the United States.
Documentation issues
Many immigrants are in this country without proper credentials. They’re seeking to begin the process or correct a process that’s gone off-track. Without proper documentation, immigrants face many problems. Interaction with federal, state, and local governments is impossible. Obtaining higher education, driver’s licenses, jobs, and healthcare—all but impossible.
The changing demographics
Demographics in the diocese are changing. Here are a few facts (based on the 2000 Census):
•Between 1970 and 2000, the total foreign-born population in New York City nearly doubled, from 1.44 to 2.87 million.
•In 2000, Latin America was the largest area of origin, accounting for nearly 32 percent of the City’s foreign-born, followed by Asia at 24 percent.
•In 2000, New York City had 2.9 million foreign-born residents, the largest number in its history. These immigrants have come from a multitude of nations.
•Immigration is at its highest level since the “Ellis Island days” at the turn of the previous century. 43 percent of New York’s 2.9 million foreign-born residents arrived within the previous ten years. 46 percent speak a language other than English at home. 43 percent of the work force in New York City is foreign-born. That number doesn’t include immigrants from Puerto Rico or children of immigrant parents.
•Latino immigration, nationally, is by far the highest. In New York, however, it’s China, Guyana, and Africa—more international. With passage of the 1965 amendments to the Immigration and Nationality Act, the countries from which immigrants came shifted from southern and eastern Europe to Latin America, Asia, and the Caribbean, and the racial composition of New York shifted from a population with Europeans in the majority to one where no group makes up a majority.
•By 2000, the Dominican Republic, China, Jamaica, Guyana, and Mexico were the largest sources of immigration to New York.
•Increasingly, counties surrounding New York City are undergoing changes that the city first experienced several decades ago. Nearly 45 percent of the foreign-born in the 31-county New York metropolitan region live outside the city. Availability of housing in smaller cities has led to development of new immigrant enclaves that have fostered immigration directly to these places.