Release #016-97

Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Kim Stahlman Kearns (212) 720-3503

The report contains data on immigration patterns over the past several decades, shifts in the sources of immigration, and the demographic and occupational characteristics of recent immigrants, emphasizing changes that have occurred over the last two decades. The report also analyzes the impact of recent changes in immigration law, and provides information on undocumented immigrants who were granted amnesty as a result of the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986. The concluding chapter of the document examines the demographic impact of immigration flows and the implications of proposed legislation intended to restrict legal immigration.

Mayor Giuliani said, "The Newest New Yorkers: 1990-1994 demonstrates how immigration continues to shape the unique character and drive the economic engine of New York City. The findings of this report reinforce something we have long known: Immigration is crucial to maintaining New York City's position as the capital of the world and is essential to its continued success."

Mayor Giuliani continued, "The findings in this report have to be seriously considered, particularly in light of recently adopted legislation that discriminates against immigrants. Such decisions would do a great disservice to New York, other major cities that benefit from large numbers of immigrants, and our entire nation."

According to Chairman Rose, "The facts presented in this report are clear: New York is a city of immigrants; a majority of our population are either immigrants or the children of immigrants. The flow of immigrants to the city has increased in recent years and this stream of newcomers has been critical to the health of our economy and the vitality of our neighborhoods. This clear portrait of our demographic profile contained in The Newest New Yorkers: 1990-1994 is the essential foundation for an informed discussion of public policies relating to immigration."

The report includes the following key findings:

• Immigration to New York City was 32% higher during 1990-1994 than it was in in the 1980s.
• The top five source countries of immigrants to New York City were:
  • Dominican Republic,
  • former Soviet Union,
  • China (including Hong Kong and Taiwan),
  • Jamaica and
  • Guyana.
• There was a surge in immigration from the Dominican Republic and the former Soviet Union. Together, these senders accounted for 32% of all immigrants to New York City in the early 1990s.
• China was the third leading source of immigrants to the city.
• Ireland and Bangladesh moved into the top 20 list of sending countries.
• Poland, which ranked 18th on the top sender list in the 1980s, now ranks 6th.
• The 1990 Immigration Act provided several new paths of immigration that were particularly important to immigrants from Ireland, Poland and Bangladesh.
• Immigrants from the former Soviet Union arrived principally as refugees.
• New York City's population continues to grow, sustained by immigration, unlike many other cities that have experienced depopulation since the middle of this century. New York City's population increased 4% in the 1980s. Without immigrants, the city's population would have declined by 9% during this period.
• A higher percentage of immigrants reported occupations at the upper end of the occupational spectrum. Fewer immigrants are reporting service occupations, especially among women. However, this must be balanced by the fact that fewer immigrants reported having an occupation at all.
• Immigrants have been crucial to maintaining the city's housing stock. Close to one-half of recently turned-over (post '79) housing units in these categories were occupied by immigrants. In East Flatbush, Jackson Heights, and Washington Heights-Inwood, three-quarters or more of such units have been occupied by immigrants.
• Immigrants and their U.S.-born children constitute a majority of the city's population.