Hispanics Outnumber Black Americans

In May 2007, the U.S. Census Bureau officially announced that the non-white minority population (including Black, Hispanic, and Arab individuals) had surpassed 100 million for the first time.

These figures are of great interest. One-third of America's total population of 300 million is now comprised of so-called non-white minorities. Looking at the breakdown, Hispanic immigrants, whose native language is Spanish, reached 44.3 million. Furthermore, their annual growth rate is an outstanding 3.4%, and this number is expected to continue increasing rapidly.

What's particularly interesting is that Hispanics make up 14.8% of the total population, followed by Black Americans at 13.4% (40.2 million). The third largest group, Asian Americans, are significantly smaller at 14.9 million, or 5.0%.
For reference, the white population was 198 million, accounting for 66.4% of the total population.

America's Foremost Domestic Challenge

Whether one likes it or not, it is clear that minorities are becoming the mainstream in America.

Immigration issues in America, including undocumented immigrants, are increasingly becoming the nation's most significant domestic challenge. The White House and Congress are working on new immigration reform laws. While there are an estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants, at such numbers, there are limits to strengthening border security to prevent their influx. Consequently, the U.S. government is exploring pathways to grant legal status by issuing visas to undocumented immigrants.

On the other hand, there are strong voices within Congress and among the public demanding stricter regulations, leaving the U.S. government in a difficult position. This is truly the foremost domestic challenge.

These are concerns unimaginable in Japan. When discussing America, it is essential to keep these matters firmly in mind.