There are more than four million Black immigrants residing in the United States, with the top nations of origin being Jamaica, Haiti, Nigeria, and Ethiopia. At least ten percent of all Black immigrants are Afro-Latinx, hailing from the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Cuba, Panama, and Honduras. Foreign-born individuals from Africa and the Caribbean are more likely than other immigrants to be admitted to the United States as refugees or asylees. The removal of discriminatory immigration bars through the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 and the establishment of refugee and asylum law and procedure through the Refugee Act of 1980 paved the way for Black immigrants and refugees to come to the United States.
In addition to economic reasons, natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and volcanic eruptions have led to migration from the Caribbean. Conflict and repressive governments are the primary push factors that lead to emigration from African nations, along with economic reasons.
Join Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees (GCIR) and movement leaders in this webinar for an analysis of the root causes of migration for Black immigrants and refugees, how they are working to build power domestically and transnationally, and how funders can support this diverse community.