Reviews evidence of the extent to which U.S. immigrants utilize the family reunification entitlements of immigration laws. Examines two studies of the immigrant cohort: Jasso and Rosenzweig (1986) and the General Accounting Office report (1988). Provides estimates of the characteristics of U.S. citizen sponsors of immigrant spouses and parents.…

Develops and analyzes a new database that links information on a sample of exempt immediate relative immigrants in Fiscal Year 1985 with information on the characteristics of their petitioners or sponsors in order to examine the chain migration issue. Analysis indicates that an explosive increase is unlikely. (JS)

Explores the effect of "chaining" through the petitioning of relatives on the demand for future immigrant visas by Koreans and Filipinos. Presents analyses that derive different multipliers that may be used in estimating the effects of chain migration, including a Theoretical Multiplier, an Adjusted Multiplier, and a Projected…

Examines and explains unexpected population trends since 1970: substantial rural and small-town growth, regional shifts to the South and West, lower birth rates, increased life expectancy, smaller household size, and population growth from immigration. Illustrates how demographic events offer classic examples of the difficulty of predicting human…