Second Generation Immigration: How do you identify yourself?

By: Monica Peralez

Second-Generation Immigrants: Hispanic Identification

In 2009, foreign-born and native-born immigrants contributed 70 million people to of the entire U.S. population. 1 Foreign-born immigrants are classified as first generation U.S. residents and native-born immigrants with at least one foreign-born parent are classified as the second-generation U.S. residents. 2 In comparing the first-generation to the second generation, the second generation is more likely to be better educated, to earn a higher income and is less likely to be in poverty. 3  The rapid growth of the Hispanic population in the U.S. has easily made Hispanics the most prevalent group of immigrants in this country, which has resulted in projections of increased political participation and representation as well. 4 Second generation Hispanics have played a crucial role in establishing this increased Hispanic population, and they are assimilating to U.S. culture more so than any Hispanic immigrants who came before them.5 Second-generation Hispanics are U.S. Citizens; they were born here and grew up in ways culturally different from their parents.6 Second generation immigrants are more likely to identify themselves as “American” and affiliate with other Americans and America.7 However, often time second generation Hispanics struggle to integrate their two cultures: the culture of their parents and U.S. culture.8 From this, a new generation of Hispanics in the U.S. is arising, and many Hispanics are creating unique identities.9