JSPES, Vol. 27, No. 3 (Fall 2002 )
p. 315-340

Immigrants from the Middle East: A Profile of the Foreign-born U.S. Population from Pakistan to Morocco

Steven A. Camarota

The incorporation of persons of Muslim Middle Eastern origin into the United States of America has attracted heightened interest since the September 11, 2001. The author uses U.S. Census Bureau data to examine the increase in migrants from the Middle East as a share of currently growing total immigration into the United States and their consequent distribution, comparative educational attainment and socio-economic status within their adopted country of residence. The author perceives evidence for a further increase in the numbers of persons of Middle Eastern origin in the United States and of their share of total immigration into the United States in the near future. While noting inequity of treating migrant applicants of Middle Eastern origin differently to migrants of other ethnicities, he suggests that it would be more ethical to effect a reduction in immigration across the board combined with a more rigorous pursuit of illegal Middle Eastern immigrants in particular.