1965年以来中国新移民潮与美国华人人口结构的变化

Chinese Immigration Waves and the Changing Population Structure of Chinese American Since 1965

新移民是推动当代美国华人人口增长和结构变迁的主要因素。1965年美国颁布新移民法,彻底废除了种族歧视性条款,按国籍分配移民配额,华人获得相对平等的入境权;再加上配额外的直系亲属移民,使得华人移民数量不断攀升。中美建交后,原先由台湾享用的2万名移民配额转给中国大陆,1982年美国另给台湾2万名移民配额,此外还给香港和澳门一些移民配额。由于新移民的持续大规模涌入,美国华人人口增速惊人,至2015年已超过450万,其中60%以上为移民,40%为土生华裔。华人移民不仅在来源地和类型上趋向多元化,而且在社会经济背景上呈现出两极分化的特点。

New immigrants are the main impetus for population growth and structural change of Chinese American.The new immigration decree issued in 1965 abolished the discrimination terms and quota for immigrants are distributed in terms of nationality,which gives Chinese relatively equal right to immigrate into USA.Besides there are a fairly number of Chinese immigrants brought by the immigration law of immediate family or relatives.Thus Chinese immigrants kept growing rapidly ever since.The establishment of Sino-US diplomatic relation offered 20000 immigrants quota to China's Mainland which is enjoyed by Taiwan,while Taiwan was given another 20000 immigrants quota in 1982.Hong Kong and Macao also were assigned some immigrants quota.This brought about changes in Chinese American immigrants and population structure:firstly,the total population of Chinese American grew to 4.5 million by 2015 with 60%of immigrants and only 40%locally born.Secondly the diversity of Chinese immigrants in origination and types brought about a tendency of polarization economically.