North America

International migrants in North America are estimated at 50 million in 2010 accounting for 14.2 per cent of the total population in North America though their composition differs in the United States and Canada. The USA remains the top migrant destination country in the world, with 42.8 million migrants in 2010. Latin American and Caribbean migrants currently account for 53 per cent of the total foreign-born population in the USA; and among others the Philippines, India and China. In Canada, the dynamic is different with less of the foreign born population from South America and more from China, Italy and the United Kingdom.

Both the United States and Canada are considered as traditional immigrant countries of destination and therefore have well defined immigration, citizenship and integration related policies. Immigration policy remains a high priority in political debate.

Read here about an example of a North American City dealing with integration: Mexico City

Information taken primarily from UNDESA Trends in International Migrant Stock; the World Bank Development Prospects Group; International Organization for Migration World Migration Report 2008.

Further information can also be found on the MPI’s National Center on Immigrant Integration Policy, and on the Cities of Migration website of the Maytree Foundation, among others.