African Immigration to the United States refers to immigrants to the United States who are or are citizens of a modern African country. The term Africa in the scope of this article refers to geographical or national origin rather than racial affiliation. Between the Immigration and Citizenship Act of 1965 and 2007, it is estimated that a total of 0.8 to 0.9 million Africans migrate to the United States, accounting for about 3.3% of all US immigrants during this period.
African immigrants in the United States come from almost all regions of Africa and are not a homogeneous group. They include people from different national, linguistic, ethnic, racial, cultural and social backgrounds. Thus, African immigrants are different from African Americans, many of whose ancestors were inadvertently brought from West Africa to the United States through the Atlantic slave trade.
Video African immigration to the United States
Immigration law
Citizenship
In the 1870s, Naturalization acts extended to allow "aliens, be whites free and for African-born aliens and Africans" to gain citizenship. Immigration from Africa is theoretically permitted, unlike non-white immigration from Asia.
Quotas applied between 1921 and 1924
Several laws enforcing national quotas on American immigration were imposed between 1921 and 1924 and prevailed until they were repealed in 1965. While the law aims to limit the immigration of Jews and Catholics from Central and Eastern Europe and immigration from Asia, they also impact African immigrants. The law effectively excludes Africans from entering the country.
The Emergency Quota Act of 1921 restricted immigration from certain countries to 3% of the number of people from that country living in the US according to the 1910 census. The 1924 Immigration Act, also known as the Reed-Johnson Act, decreases that up to 2% of the number of people from countries already living in the US in 1890. Under the system, quotas for immigrants from Africa (excluding Egypt) amounted to 1,100. (The number increased to 1,400 under the McCarran-Walter Act of 1952.) It was different from immigrants from Germany, who had a limit of 51,227.
Revoke quotas
The 1965 Immigration and Citizenship Act (also known as Hart-Cellar Act) deprived the national quota and subsequently there was a substantial increase in the number of immigrants from "developing" countries, particularly in Africa and Asia. It also provides a separate category for refugees. The action also provides greater opportunities for family reunification.
Diversity Immigrant Visa
The Diversity Visa program, or the green card lottery, is a program created by the 1990 Immigration Act. It allows people born in low immigration countries to the United States to obtain valid legal status. Every year, 50,000 of the visas are distributed randomly. Almost 38% of the visas are associated with immigrants born in Africa in 2016. African-borns also represent the most groups among applicants since 2013. The application is free, and the requirement in terms of education is a high school diploma. or two years of professional experience requiring at least two years of training.
President Trump has expressed his desire to end the program. This will greatly change the pattern of migration of Africans born into the United States.
Maps African immigration to the United States
Recent Trends and Factors of Migration
The African continent has seen many changes in migration patterns during the course of history. The chart below shows African immigration to the United States in 2016 based on the admissions class with numbers from the Department of Homeland Security's Yearbook.
The entry of African immigrants began in the latter part of the 20th century and is often referred to as "the fourth major migration." About three-quarters of all out-migration from Africa goes to the United States after 1990. [7] This trend begins after decolonization, as many Africans come to the United States seeking education and to get out of poverty, increase over time. Initially, these immigrants came with the sole purpose of advancing themselves before returning to their respective countries. Nevertheless, many immigrants never return. In recent years there has been an increase in the number of African immigrants who are interested in obtaining permanent residence in the US. This has led to severe brain drain on the economies of African countries because many hard-working hardworking Africans leave Africa to seek their economic wealth in the US especially and elsewhere.
One of the main factors contributing to the migration from Africa to the United States is the employment opportunity. It is relatively easy for African immigrants to Africa with further education to leave and enter the international labor market. In addition, many Africans come to the United States for further training. For example, doctors from different African countries will come to America to get more economic opportunities compared to their home country. [14] However, as more and more Africans emigrate to the United States, their reasons and factors tend to become more complex. [15]
Many Africans who migrate to the United States return their income to Africa as a source of remittances. In Nigeria, for example, remittances (links) from Nigerian immigrants in the United States to Nigeria amount to $ 6.1 billion in 2012, about 3% of Nigeria's GDP. The important role of remittance in improving the lives of family members in the United States has caused migration and migrants to remain in the United States.
Following the education and economic trends of migration, family reunification has encouraged recent migration trends. Family reunification refers to the ability of US citizens to sponsor family members for immigration. Sponsoring immediate family members and other family preferences causes 45% and 10% of all African immigration by 2016. Legal service organizations such as the assistance of the African Advocacy Network in family members who sponsor new immigrants to the United States.
In addition, refugees make large classes enter the United States. Recent crises in the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Nigeria, Burundi and Yemen have been the source of migrants in recent years. With recent restrictions on refugee entrances to the United States, refugees may face a more difficult time entering the United States.
Population
Demographics
It is estimated that the current population of African immigrants to the United States is about 2.1 million. According to the Institute of Migration Policy, in 2009 two-thirds of African immigrants came from East Africa or West Africa. The countries with the most immigrants to the US are Nigeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, South Africa, Somalia, Eritrea, and Kenya. Seventy-five percent (75%) of African immigrants to the United States come from 12 out of 55 countries, namely Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana, Ethiopia, South Africa, Kenya, Liberia, Somalia, Morocco, Cape Verde, Sierra Leone and Sudan which is now the independent state of Southern Sudan), based on 2000 census data.
In addition, according to the US Census, 55% of immigrants from Africa are male, while 45% are women. The age groups with the largest groups of immigrants born in Africa were 25-34, 35-44, and 45-54 with 24.5%, 27.9%, and 15.0% respectively.
Africans usually gather in urban areas, moving to suburbs from time to time. They are also one of the most unlikely groups to live in separate racial areas. The goals of Africans vary greatly. While some are looking to create new life in the US, some plan to use the resources and skills acquired to return and help their home country. After all, African communities contribute millions to the African economy through remittances.
Immigrants from Africa usually settle in urban areas when they arrive in the US. Areas such as Washington, D.C., New York, Baltimore, Houston, Columbus, Ohio, Atlanta and Minneapolis have large concentrations of African immigrant populations. There are often national groups within these cities. The longer African immigrants live in the United States, the more likely they are to live in the suburbs.
In the San Francisco Bay Area, there are officially 40,000 African immigrants, although it is estimated that the population is actually four times this number when considering illegal immigrants. The majority of these immigrants were born in Ethiopia, Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa.
African immigrants like many other immigrant groups tend to build and find success in small businesses. Many Africans who have seen the social and economic stability that comes from ethnic pockets such as Chinatown have recently built their own ethnic enclaves at a much higher level to benefit from the community. Examples include Little Ethiopia in Los Angeles and Little Senegal in New York City.
Educational attainment
African immigrants to the US are among the most educated groups in the United States. About 48.9 percent of all African immigrants hold a college diploma. This is more than double the birth rate of white Americans, and nearly four times the birth rate of native African Americans. According to the 2000 Census, the highest level of diploma degree among Egyptian Americans was 59.7 percent, closely followed by Nigerian Americans at 58.6 percent.
In 1997, 19.4 percent of all adult African immigrants in the United States hold a bachelor's degree, compared with 8.1 percent of adult white Americans and 3.8 percent of adult black Americans in the United States, respectively. According to the 2000 Census, the percentage of Africans with the highest graduate degrees among Nigerian Americans is at 28.3 percent, followed by Egyptian Americans at 23.8 percent.
Of the African-born population in the US aged 25 and older, 87.9% reported having a high school degree or higher, compared with 78.8% of Asian-born immigrants and 76.8% of European-born immigrants, respectively. Africans from Kenya (90.8 percent), Nigeria (89.1 percent), Ghana (85.9 percent), Botswana (84.7 percent), and Malawi (83 percent) were the most likely to report having a high school degree above or higher.
Those born in Cape Verde (44.8 percent) and Mauritania (60.8 percent) were the most likely to report completing secondary school education.
Health
American immigrants from predominantly black countries in Africa and South America are generally healthier than black immigrants from white-dominated countries in Europe. A study conducted by Jen'nan Ghazal Read, a professor of sociology at UC Irvine, and Michael O. Emerson, a professor of sociology at Rice University, studied the health of more than 2,900 black immigrants from the top emigration areas: West Indies, Africa , South America and Europe. Blacks born in Africa and South America have proved healthier than American-born blacks.
The study was published in the September issue of the Social Forces and was the first to look at the health of black immigrants by their home region.
Culture
African immigrants tend to retain their culture once in the United States. Instead of abandoning their traditions, they find ways to reproduce and rediscover themselves. Cultural bonds are cultivated through ethnic or national affiliations together. Some organizations such as the Ghana Fantse-Kuo group and the Sudanese Association are governed by states, territories, or ethnic groups. Other nonprofits such as the Washington Malawi Association are organized by national identity, and include all Malawians. Other groups present traditional culture from a pan-African perspective. Using traditional skills and knowledge, African-born entrepreneurs develop services for immigrants and the wider community. In the Washington area, events like the annual Ethiopian football tournament, institutions like the African Liberation Ministry of the AME Church, and "friend" and "twinning" organizations bring together different communities. The extent to which African immigrants engaged in these activities naturally varied according to the population.
Religion
African immigrant religious traditions tend to be pluralistic; they are seen not only as a religious institution, but in many cases also as civilian centers. These organizations are essential to the persistent ethnic identity of these communities. The African immigrant religious community is also a central network and provides services such as counseling, shelter, employment, financial aid, health services, and real estate tips.
Christianity
African immigrants practice diverse religions, including Christianity, Islam, and traditional beliefs. Of these followers, the greatest number is Pentecost/Christian Charismatics. This form of Christianity is "a born-again, born-again, Pentecostal sect that emphasizes holiness, earnest prayer, a charismatic awakening, the closest salvation, speaking in tongues, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the healing of faith, visions, and divine revelation."
Among the popular denominational churches are the Brotherhood of the Cross and the Stars, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Celestial Church of Christ, Cherubim and Seraphim, the Apostolic Church of Christ, the Pentecostal Church, The Church of the Deeper Life Bible, Volcano and Miracles of Ministries (MFM), Church Presbyterian of Ghana, the Redeemed Christian Church, and the Embassy of Christ.
In addition, Ethiopians and Eritreans have their own churches wherever there is a significant Ethiopian or Eritrean population. Their churches are predominantly Ethiopian Orthodox and Eritrean and several Catholic churches.
Continental African Churches
Many African communities have established their own churches in the United States that mimic continental African churches. One example is the Bethel Church in Silver Spring, Maryland, which has a Pan-African meeting. It also does services in English and French. Many African churches are Pan-African, but some are composed only of citizens of the country of origin. It is possible to worship in the native languages ​​of the congregation.
Islam
Muslim immigrants from African countries abide by diverse Islamic traditions. These include various Sunni, Shiite and mainstream Sufis and schools (madhhab) from West Africa, Swahili Beach, Indian Ocean islands, Horn of Africa and North Africa.
Cultural effects
Television
Many local cable channels now buy programming channels operated by various African communities. For example, Africa Channels are now available on some TV networks in the US. This channel is a showcase for outstanding travel, lifestyle and culture, special and documentary. These programs show people of African descent and their stories.
The network premiered on September 1, 2005, marking a milestone in the history of US television. For the first time, American audiences can experience the successes, celebrations and challenges of people living throughout Africa and the Diaspora, all through the public entertainment network. The network is broadcast in the US through a national distribution deal with the country's largest cable mso, including Comcast, Time Warner and Cox. African channels are also available in Jamaica, Bahamas, Trinidad & amp; Tobago, St. Lucia, Barbados, Bermuda, Grenada and other islands in the Caribbean. Partners include former UN Ambassador Andrew Young and his company, GoodWorks International; NBA stars Dikembe Mutombo and Theo Ratliff; Williams Group Holdings; and former US Senator Donald Stewart.
TV news services such as Nigeria Television Authority, South Africa Broadcast Channels and Ethiopian Television Programming are also available in some areas.
Movies
Nigerian Nollywood films and Ghana movies can now be rented or purchased from Nigerian and Ghana outlets and the like in Africa. They are very popular among Africans in the US from different countries.
Restaurants
Immigrants from Africa have opened restaurants in urban areas. The Metro area of ​​DC and NYC has many restaurants belonging to the communities of Liberia, Senegal, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa and others.
Visibility
Leading African academics in the US include full-time professors at the nation's top universities, including, at MIT, Elfatih A.B. Eltahir from Sudan; at Caltech, 1999 Nobel Prize in Chemistry Winner Ahmed Zewail of Egypt; at Yale, professor Lamin Sanneh of Gambia; at Pennsylvania State University, professor Augustin Banyaga, from Rwanda; at Harvard, professor Jacob Olupona, from Nigeria, Barack Obama Sr. from Kenya, Emmanuel K. Akyeampong from Ghana, Biodun Jeyifo from Nigeria, and John Mugane from Kenya; and at Princeton, Adel Mahmoud from Egypt, Wole Soboyejo from Nigeria, Simon Gikandi from Kenya, V. Kofi Agawu from Ghana, and Kwame Anthony Appiah from Ghana.
In sports, Hakeem Olajuwon, Dikembe Mutombo and Freddy Adu stand out.
In art, Academy Award-winning actress Charlize Theron and Grammy Award-winning musician Dave Matthews are both white South Africans; and two-time Academy Award nominee Djimon Hounsou and Grammy-winning musician Angelique Kidjo, both from Benin; and more recently Lupita Nyong'o and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the most prominent.
The famous African immigrant
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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