The California Cauldron

Once the prime destination for westward-moving young Americans, California has become a magnet for a new wave of migration. Changes in immigration law and the ebbs and flows of the increasingly global economy have led to an influx of newcomers from every continent and every cultural, ethnic and socioeconomic group. How has the demographic structure of California changed since the early 1980s? What are the social and spatial consequences of this transformation? Where are the immigrants living, and how successfully are they realizing their versions of the American dream? Examining the impact of large-scale immigration on local communities, this book presents an in-depth geographical case study of the most active "melting pot" in the USA. Situating migration in its social and economic contexts, the author traces changes in the United States immigration policy over the course of the 20th century and considers implications for how we think about assimilation, pluralism and American identity. The book then provides an overview of why contemporary immigrants come to California and who these individuals are. Examining the consequences of immigration upon California neighbourhoods, cities and counties and traces the impact of migration on levels of fertility, poverty and educational attainment in different localities. Additional topics covered include pathways to home ownership and the challenges facing California's educational system.