On November 21, the Center for Immigration Studies published an analysis of Latino voting in the 2010 elections. It finds that Latinos continue to vote heavily Democratic.
On November 17, the Census Bureau published a report on the newly arrived foreign-born population. It finds that 17.4 percent of them arrived since 2005. About half are from Latin America or the Caribbean. Another Census report found that one-third of residents with degrees in engineering are foreign born, as are 27 percent of those with degrees in computers or mathematics, 24 percent in the physical sciences, and 17 percent in the biological sciences, agriculture, and environmental sciences.
A November 3 Quinnipiac poll found that people favor increased enforcement against illegal immigrants over increased efforts to integrate them into society by a 2 to 1 margin. People are evenly split on whether birthright citizenship, which is guaranteed by the Constitution, should be abolished.
A November 3 Pew poll found that younger people are much more tolerant of immigrants than older people.
On October 26, the International Monetary Fund published a working paper examining the economic effects of remittances by immigrants to their home countries.
An October 26 Fox News poll found that by a 2 to 1 margin people believe that the children of illegal immigrants should be eligible for legal citizenship. Republicans split 50-50.
On October 18, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis published a study on the skill level of immigrants. It finds that they tend to be either at the high end or the low end.
On October 14, the Center for Global Development published a paper arguing that the best way the U.S. could help countries like Haiti that suffer from natural disasters would be to admit more of their people to work in the U.S.
On October 12, the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on immigration and customs enforcement.
On October 7, the Census Bureau released new estimates of the foreign-born population. In 2010, there were 16,024,000 who were naturalized citizens and 21,581,000 who were not.
I last posted items on this topic on October 7.
Bruce Bartlett is an American historian and columnist who focuses on the intersection between politics and economics. He blogs daily and writes a weekly column for The Fiscal Times. Bartlett has written for Forbes Magazine and Creators Syndicate, and his work is informed by many years in government, including as a senior policy analyst in the Reagan White House. He is the author of seven books including his new book: The Benefit and the Burden.
