In the late 20th century, a lot changed in America because of immigration.
Cultural Changes:
- In the 1980s and 1990s, many immigrants came to the U.S. from Latin America and Asia.
- The number of people born in other countries jumped from 9.6 million in 1970 to over 25 million by 2000.
- This mix of cultures made American society more colorful. By 2000, people spoke over 300 different languages across the country.
- Immigration also brought multiculturalism, which means different cultures living together. We saw this in festivals and food from many different backgrounds.
Economic Changes:
- Immigrants helped the U.S. economy by making up about 15% of the workforce by 2000.
- They worked in important areas like farming, technology, and services. This helped businesses become more productive.
- Many immigrants started their own businesses, which grew by 49% between 1990 and 2000. These businesses made about $120 billion!
In short, immigration had a big impact on both the culture and economy of the United States.