Immigrants And The States
The federal government has the exclusive authority to decide how many immigrants will be admitted to the United States each year, but those new arrivals make their homes in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Some states with little history of immigration have recently experienced rapid growth in their immigrant populations. As a result, federal immigration policies have a much broader impact across a larger number of states. In addition, states are taking a more active role in immigration policy matters. Take our Immigration Facts quiz to test your knowledge of immigrants in the states.
- 1.Which state has the largest immigrant population?
- A.
New York
- B.
Florida
- C.
California
- D.
Texas
- 2.Which state had the largest growth rate in its immigrant population from 2000 to 2012?
- A.
South Carolina
- B.
California
- C.
Florida
- D.
Utah
- 3.Before an employer can request a visa for a foreign worker, the federal Department of Labor must certify that hiring a foreign worker will not displace or reduce wages for similarly employed U.S. workers. Which state’s employers requested the largest number of labor certifications for H-2A temporary agricultural foreign workers in 2013?
- A.
Arizona
- B.
California
- C.
North Carolina
- D.
Florida
- 4.Which metropolitan area generated the largest number of labor certification requests for H-1B temporary specialty or high-skilled foreign workers in 2011?
- A.
Washington metro area
- B.
Los Angeles metro area
- C.
New York metro area
- D.
Chicago metro area
- 5.Which of the following states had the largest percentage growth in its unauthorized immigrant population from 2000 to 2010?
- A.
California
- B.
Alabama
- C.
Florida
- D.
Arizona
- 6.Which of the following public benefits are states and localities required to provide to residents regardless of immigration status?
- A.
A. K-12 education
- B.
B. Health insurance
- C.
C. Driver’s licenses
- D.
D. Unemployment insurance
- 7.As of August 2014, how many states had allowed students who are unauthorized immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates at public postsecondary colleges and universities?
- A.
None
- B.
17
- C.
35
- D.
All States
- 8.As of September 2014, how many states (plus the District of Columbia) had enacted laws permitting unauthorized immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses or driving certificates?
- A.
12
- B.
24
- C.
37
- D.
Applicants for a driver’s license do not need to declare their immigration status in any state
- 9.Which three states admitted the largest number of refugees in fiscal year 2012? Refugees are defined as those who can prove a “well-founded fear of persecution” in their home countries because of their race, membership in a social group, political opinion, religion, or national origin.
- A.
Virginia, New York, Arizona
- B.
Illinois, Florida, Minnesota
- C.
Texas, California, Michigan
- D.
Washington, Utah, Colorado
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