822 Chapter 31 From Boomers to Millennials
The New Immigration
A Pew poll in 2008 unearthed another major attitudi-
nal difference between Boomers and Millennials.
When asked whether immigrants strengthened the
country with their hard work and talent, or burdened
it because they took jobs, housing, and healthcare, the
Boomers overwhelmingly (50 percent to 30 percent)
regarded immigrants as a burden, while Millennials
overwhelmingly (58 percent to 32 percent) thought
immigrants strengthened the country. One reason for
the attitudinal change is that a far higher proportion
of Millennials are themselves immigrants or the chil-
dren of immigrants.
Immigration is a global phenomenon that has
transformed the United States in the past forty years.
But while it is possible—and even necessary—to con-
sider the subject in terms of large statistical trends,Dolores Huerta and César Chávez, leaders of the United Farm Workers, discuss their 1968 strike of grape pickers.
They are framed by photographs of Robert Kennedy, campaigning for the Democratic nomination for president,
and Mohandas Gandhi, leader of the non-violent protest movement that won independence for India in 1947.