According to the Public Policy Institute of California, the state “is home to 10.9 million immigrants.” The U.S. Census Bureau reports that Butte County’s foreign-born residents account for 8.6 percent of the population, a lower percentage than other areas of the state.
Whether documented or not, immigrants from every continent boost GDP in all sectors — notably agriculture, hospitality, health care and construction. They also enrich the nation’s diverse culture. This Council on Foreign Relations timeline provides an overview of immigration since 1952.