The impact of immigration on African Americans

Immigration has signifi cant consequences for all Americans, but especially for African Americans. The sheer magnitude of immigration-it is the primary factor driving population growth-is so large that it directly or indirectly affects the economic, political, social, and environmental circumstances of most Americans. But the geographic concentration of immigrants in urban areas, and the economic concentration of immigrants in the low-wage sector of the labor market, have special consequences for African Americans since they are especially likely to live in urban areas and to be low-wage workers.