Across more than 20 countries surveyed, a median of 91% say being able to speak their countryโs most common language is important for being considered a true national. And 81% say sharing their countryโs customs and traditions is important for true belonging.
Most U.S. Latinos speak Spanish: 75% say they are able to carry on a conversation in Spanish pretty well or very well. But not all Latinos are Spanish speakers, and about half (54%) of non-Spanish-speaking Latinos have been shamed by other Latinos for not speaking Spanish.
Across 49 focus groups with Asian immigrants, daily challenges related to speaking English emerged as a common theme. Participants also shared frustration, stress and at times sadness in dealing with cultural and language barriers, and described support they received from others.
This statistical profile of the foreign-born population in the 50 states and the District of Columbia is based on Pew Research Center tabulations of the Census Bureauโs 2010 and 2018 American Community Survey (ACS) and the 1960-2000 decennial censuses.
As of 2018, 19% of the national immigrant population lives in the top five counties: Los Angeles County, California; Miami-Dade County, Florida; Harris County, Texas; Cook County, Illinois; and Queens County, New York.