Immigrants: Diversity and Inclusion,
Deborah Macmillan

Immigration policies have favored diversity of country of birth since 1965. This has capped the number of immigrants from a given country and allowed for a “diversity lottery” to ensure the possibility of entry from all countries.

Despite these policies, Mexican born immigrants were the predominant segment among the foreign born in 2000 and are even more so today.


The Philippines accounted for 4% or more of foreign born immigrants and 72 other countries each accounted for 0.10% to 3% of the total.

Cultural pros and cons of diversity: wider range of opinions, view points, dress, language. Noteworthy business success among immigrants. Greater costs of education. Association of immigrants with crime is unclear.

The Migration Policy Institute (MPI) identified the top migration issue for 2006 as the global shift from multiculturalism to assimilation whether generally or in governmental emphasis. (See www.migration information.org)