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For me, the United States is a nation of immigrants, both ideologically and demographically. My parents, grandfathers, and numerous other relatives crossed the Pacific Ocean in search of the Golden Mountain. They and others born abroad have shaped American politics, both as objects and subjects. The nation has welcomed and rejected their presence, and has been consumed by rabid xenophobia during its darkest moments. Immigrants, however, are not just victims. They are also actors with the potential to swing electoral outcomes, and this has caught the eyes of politicians and the political parties.

The demographic numbers are compelling. According to data from the 2007 American Community Survey, one in seven adults in the U.S. is foreign-born, and one in three in California (15% and 35% respectively). Of course not all immigrant adults are eligible to vote. Only a minority (44%) has naturalized at the national level; consequently, immigrants comprise less than 8% of those eligible to register to vote. Despite this fall off, there are 15.5 million potential voters, a significant number in a tight election. The naturalization rate in this state is comparable (45%), but because of the disproportionately larger number of immigrants in this state, they make up 19% of those eligible to register, roughly 4.3 million.

One intriguing fact is the ethnic composition of naturalized adults. Much attention has been given to Latinos, who comprise about a third of all naturalized adults (32% nationally and 36%in California). Their growth over the last two decades, along with the increasing numbers of American-born Latinos, has transformed this group into a constituency that neither political party can ignore. Less publicized is the number of naturalized Asians, who make up 31% of the nation’s and 42% of the state’s adult immigrant citizens. Latinos were yesterday’s political sleeping giant, and Asians today claim that moniker and are on the verge of awakening.

Despite the acknowledged importance of immigrants in electoral politics, numerous barriers hinder full participation. Too many have not become citizens, thus remaining ineligible to register. Moreover, naturalized immigrants are less likely to register and to vote than U.S.-born citizens, as evident in the 2006 election. Community organizations are taking up the challenge of encouraging, facilitating and promoting political engagement by immigrants through naturalization programs, registration drives and get-out-the-vote efforts. Greater incorporation of the foreign-born population, however, should be a national goal because we are a nation of immigrants.

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Culinary Arts College Site - Margaret says:

There are quite a few Latinos who work in the food industry today. They are hard working, family oriented people. One of the careers they should consider, once they become citizens, should be the culinary arts field. They would be able to make more money in the states to support their families. http://www.culinaryartscollegesite.com

Erin Morino says:

The black and latino vote is literally what gave victory to Obama, with a huge majority of those two ethnicities that voted for him. Erin Morino http://www.best-culinary-arts-colleges.com/

CPM says:

Much attention has been given to Latinos, who comprise about a third of all naturalized adults (32% nationally and 36%in California). --- Now thats impressive

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