Asians become fastest growing group of U.S. immigrants

PanARMENIAN.Net - Asians have passed Latinos as the fastest growing group of U.S. immigrants, according to a Pew Center study, BBC News reported.

Asians made up more than 36% of all U.S. newcomers in 2010, compared to 31% with Hispanic origins in the same year.

The study found Asian immigrants to be the most educated group of immigrants in U.S. history.

Analysts say the trend reflects a slowdown in illegal immigration as employers boost their demand for high-skilled workers.

"For an economy that requires higher skills, Asian-Americans are very well positioned," said Elaine Chao, a former U.S. Secretary of Labor.

More than 6 in 10 adults who recently arrived from Asia have at least a bachelor's degree, twice the rate of recent non-Asian immigrants.

Ms Chao, who served for eight years under President George W Bush as the first Asian-American female cabinet member, warned that issues for the foreign-born population still remain.

"Their first concern is to make a living, survive in this country, take care of their kids and put them in the best schools possible," said Ms Chao at a Pew-sponsored event in Washington DC.

In the study, Pew found that the six largest immigrant Asian immigrant groups to the U.S. were Chinese, Filipinos, Indians, Vietnamese, Koreans and Japanese.