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Profile of Legalized Population
Under Immigration Reform & Control Act of 1986
- 74% were from Mexico
- 21% were from Central America
- 2% were from other West Hemisphere nations
- 4% were from Eastern Hemisphere nations
- 95% were in the US for economic reasons
- 65% were in the US for family reasons
- 32% were in the US for political reasons
- 4% were in the US for other reasons
- 83% were in the labor market
- 43% were covered under a health plan
- 52% had no health plan coverage
- Mean Family Income: $18,938 ($30,853 for all U.S. residents)
- Median Family Income: $16,349
- 42% worked in manufacturing sector
- 21% worked in sales sector
- 24% worked in services sector
- 6% worked in construction sector
- 15% worked in white collar jobs
- 9% had at least some college education
- 43% had 7 to 12 years of secondary education
- 13% spoke English well
- Median age upon arrival in US: 32
- Median year of first arrival in US: 1978
- 38% arrived in US prior to 1977
Source: U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services