Immigration to Maine
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 MAINE IMMIGRATION STATISTICS |
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Total Population: |
1,274,923 (2000) |
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Foreign Born: |
36,691(2000) |
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Illegal Immigrants: |
FAIR Estimate: 5,000 (2007) |
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USCIS/DHS Estimate: 3,000 (2000) |
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Pew Hispanic Center Estimate: 10,000 (2005) |
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About Maine
Maine is the 23rd state which entered statehood on March 15, 1820. The State
Capitol is held in Augusta, ME. Maine is famous for its shellfish industry, such
as lobster, which around 1997 something like 46 million pounds was harvested for
the year. It is the leader in raising nearly 98% of the low bush blueberries in
the US. Maine is considered to be in the top five safest places to live and
work.
Immigration to Maine
Maine’s share of foreign-born migrants is less than three percent of its overall
population. Europeans and Canadians account for the majority of the foreign-born
migrants, with Asians being the second largest source. Although the growth of
the foreign-born migrant population may only account for around eight percent of
the annual average increase, the estimated immigrant births within the State of
Maine adds approximately 650 people annually.
Maine’s naturalization rate of 55.2 percent is much higher than the national
average of 40.1 percent based upon data recorded during the 2000 Census. A high
rate of naturalization could easily suggest Maine has an established population
with minimal illegal aliens. In the fall of 2002, Lewiston, ME experienced an
overwhelming surge of 1000 Somali immigrants within an eighteen month period.
Lewiston is a small community with few economic resources. This particular
influx put great strains upon its social services which provide welfare, job
training and language classes. Around a quarter of the waiting list for public
housing and something like a third of all the tenants at the public housing
complex is made up of Somalis.
Maine is a small state, with a population of only 1,274,923 (as of the 2000
Census). Historically it has relied upon its natural resources as its primary
basis of economic development, particularly farming, fishing and forest
products. As its economy transforms from it reliance upon natural resources to
technology innovation and globalization, workers and in some instances entire
communities have been challenged to reinvent themselves in order to stay
competitive. Bangor Daily News reported that Maine loggers recently faced the
issue of Canadian workers displacing them and fought for their jobs by
blockading entry points at the border between the Canadian and US border within
the state. Job performance requirements and workplaces are changing, requiring
deeper knowledge and more advanced skill sets even for lower paid positions.
Illegal Immigration to Maine
As of 2007, FAIR estimates the state’s illegal alien population is about 5,000
persons which equates to about .3 percent of its overall population. The annual
fiscal cost to Maine taxpayers for emergency medial care, education and
incarceration projected by FAIR is currently around $5,000,000.
Maine Immigration Statistics
- Maine has not been a magnet for foreign born residents or ethnically and racially diverse populations
- The age group born between 1946 and 1964 is now approaching retirement and expected to vacate a large number of jobs including thousands of jobs offering high pay and requiring advanced skills
- New up and coming industries include health care, business and professional services, and retail sectors
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