WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Today’s Indiana immigrant likely is Mexican or Asian, under age 40, a blue-collar laborer and not as proficient in English as foreign-born people who came to the United States even 20 years ago, according to a Purdue University study.

“The immigrant population is young, it’s growing and it is increasingly diverse,” said Brigitte Waldorf, a Purdue agricultural economist and the study’s lead researcher. “It used to be most Indiana immigrants were from Europe, but not anymore.”

Today's Indiana immigrant likely is Mexican or Asian, under age 40, a blue-collar laborer and not as proficient in English as foreign-born people who came to the United States even 20 years ago, according to a Purdue University study.

Purdue’s study, “Immigrants in Indiana: Where They Live, Who They Are, and What They Do,” provides a demographic snapshot of the state’s foreign-born population. Findings are based on data from the 1990 and 2000 U.S. Censuses and the 2006 American Community Survey.

The study appears in the current edition of the Purdue Agricultural Economics Report, and can be downloaded online at http://www.agecon.purdue.edu/extension/pubs/paer/

The research team, which included agricultural economics graduate students Uris Baldos, Tani Lee and Delphine Simon – each a first- or second-generation immigrant – found that Indiana’s immigrant population jumped from 94,263 to 263,607 in the 16-year study period, and that foreign-born people made up about 4 percent of the state’s population in 2006.

Researchers also found that Mexicans represented 46 percent and Asians more than 30 percent of Indiana’s immigrant population in 2006, and that about 75 percent of the immigrant growth was concentrated in 10 Indiana counties.

The Hoosier state ranked No. 10 nationally in immigrant population growth between 2000 and 2006, said Waldorf, who hails from Germany. That’s a dramatic shift from a few decades ago.

“Moving to Indiana is a new choice that immigrants are making. It didn’t use to be that way,” she said. “For a long while Indiana was at the bottom of the hierarchy of preferred destinations for immigrants.”

Changes in immigration laws that encouraged more non-Europeans to come to America and greater job opportunities have attracted more foreign-born people to Indiana, Waldorf said.

“About three in 10 immigrants were employed in the manufacturing sector in 2006, with most of those working in industries related to motor vehicles, equipment and metal processing,” she said. “Many immigrants also moved to rural counties and work in agriculture or meat processing plants. A good example is Daviess County, where there is a large immigrant community working for the Perdue Farms turkey processing plant.”

Counties with sizeable urban areas and/or universities comprise the largest immigrant populations. The 10 counties with the highest percentage net increase in immigrant population between 1990 and 2000 included Tippecanoe, 8.2 percent; Elkhart, 7.1 percent; Monroe, 5.4 percent; Lake, 5.3 percent; Noble, 4.9 percent; Marion and St. Joseph, 4.6 percent each; Allen and Hamilton, 4 percent each; and Bartholomew, 3.8 percent.

Immigrants made up 71.2 percent of Lake County’s total population growth from 1990 to 2000, the state’s highest percentage, the study indicated.

Most Indiana immigrants are middle-aged or younger, with nearly 45 percent living in the United States five years or fewer in 2006. As such, many are still dealing with cultural and language challenges, Simon said.

“English proficiency is related to length of stay,” Simon said. “In the 2006 data we saw an increase in new immigrants, compared with an older census where immigrants had been here for a longer time. In some cases the newer immigrants haven’t totally adjusted to their new home.”

The language barrier is the most important issue Indiana must address if the state’s immigrant population continues rising, the study said. The study takes no position on the immigration issue itself.

“Language is the key, and every immigration country has recognized that,” Waldorf said. “We have to make sure that immigrants can function in their new society, and the prevailing language in this society is English. It’s advantageous for immigrants to learn English but it is also advantageous for all of us if everybody has a common language. It breeds understanding and cohesiveness.”

“Education plays a big role,” Baldos said.

Immigrants who successfully integrate into American society often pursue citizenship, which is beneficial to all, Lee said.

“The longer immigrants stay, the more likely they are to become U.S. citizens,” Lee said. “People need to realize that you can be an American citizen and also be an immigrant.”

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Hoosiers come in all shapes, sizes and, in ever-increasing numbers, ethnicities.

Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service and the university’s College of Liberal Arts are sponsoring a pair of video broadcasts to help Indiana residents better understand the state’s changing demographics. The Basics on Immigration takes place 6:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Oct. 22 and 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 29. The Web-based broadcasts can be viewed at seven Purdue Extension offices across Indiana.

The broadcasts are free and open to the public.

“This program is designed to reach those individuals who are concerned or interested in learning more about immigration in Indiana,” said Carmen DeRusha, a Purdue Extension economic and community development specialist, and the program coordinator.

“Our democratic system depends on an educated citizenry and Purdue Extension wants to help educate Indiana residents about issues affecting the people of Indiana, including immigration.”

According to the U.S. Census, 81 of Indiana’s 92 counties experienced an increase in foreign-born residents between 1990 and 2000. Although foreign-born residents made up just 3 percent of the state’s more than 6.03 million Hoosiers in 2000, the 186,534 foreign-born people represented more than 17 percent of the state’s population growth in the 10-year Census period.

That growth in immigrant population has not come without challenges, said Sam Cordes, co-director of Purdue’s Center for Regional Development and a program leader for Purdue Extension.

“Immigration is a high profile – and often controversial – issue facing our society and communities,” Cordes said. “Unfortunately, what we hear is often not grounded in facts or research. Our program will enable local leaders and residents – especially businessmen – to gain a better understanding of the various issues, challenges and opportunities, and to engage in constructive dialogue with others in their communities.”

The Oct. 22 program features presentations on demographic data and the global elements of immigration. Speakers include Adriela Fernandez, associate dean in Purdue’s College of Liberal Arts; James McCann, a Purdue professor of political science; and Thomas Ruge, an attorney and immigration law expert with the Indianapolis legal firm of Lewis & Kappes.

On Oct. 29 the three speakers from the previous program will answer immigration-related questions.

The Web broadcasts will originate from the Pfendler Hall Deans Auditorium on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus. The public can attend in person or watch the programs at the following Purdue Extension sites:

• Clinton – 1111 S. Jackson St., Frankfort, (765) 659-6380
• Howard – 120 E. Mulberry, Kokomo, (765) 456-2313
• LaGrange – 114 W. Michigan St., Suite 10, LaGrange, (260) 499-6334
• Montgomery – 400 Parke Ave., Crawfordsville, (765) 364-6363
• Pulaski – 125 S. Riverside, Winamac, (574) 946-3412
• Tippecanoe – Pfendler Hall Auditorium, 715 West State Street, @ Purdue University,
  West Lafayette, (765) 474-0793 – [this is the live presentation site]
• Tipton – 1200 S. Main St., Tipton, (765) 675-1177

For more information, contact DeRusha at (317) 275-9305 ext. 253 or by e-mail at cderusha@purdue.edu

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Immigration issues were a divisive force in the 2004 election, so this year’s candidates are taking a quieter, more direct approach to reaching the Latino population, says a Purdue University political scientist.

“What we’re seeing instead is microtargeting the Latino demographic,” says James McCann, a professor of political science who is surveying Mexican immigrants regarding political participation and other civic issues.

“Instead of mass appeals, commercials and speeches, the candidates are airing Spanish commercials in specific cities with large Latino populations. The Republican and Democratic parties also are reaching Latinos through surrogate leadership and outreach through the local grassroots levels and politicians. The emphasis on the demographic is there, but it’s not visible to everyone.”

McCann says this political strategy also is focusing on the candidates’ character issues instead of how they stand on issues such as immigration reform. The microtargeting strategy could change closer to the election if more public emphasis is placed on the Latino vote, McCann says.

“Even though there is more attention on the black and female vote because of the candidates who ran for president this year, the Latino demographic will play a strong role and could be a deciding factor,” McCann says. “And the Latino population’s influence exceeds just those who are able to vote. Even immigrants who cannot vote in U.S. elections contribute to American politics by attending rallies and meetings, talking informally with others about elections, convincing U.S. citizens to vote and contributing funds to parties and other political causes.

“We call this group the emerging electorate. They are part of our cultural fabric, and we should not underestimate their influence and contributions to the American political process,” McCann said.

For example, McCann found in 2006 that 30 percent of those surveyed who were not citizens reported encouraging someone who could vote in an American election to do so.