During a recent government meeting, discussions highlighted the significant demographic shifts occurring in North Carolina, particularly regarding racial and ethnic diversity. Currently, 46% of North Carolinians were not born in the state, with approximately 8.6% of the population being foreign-born—a notable increase from less than 2% in 1990. This change is largely attributed to the post-1965 migration wave, following amendments to the Immigration and Nationality Act that eliminated national origin quotas and facilitated family reunification.

The meeting underscored that the influx of immigrants, primarily from Latin America and Asia, has transformed the state's demographic landscape. While Asian immigrants often arrive with higher levels of education, many Latin American immigrants tend to occupy lower-end labor market positions and have less formal education. The 1990s saw a significant rise in both Latino and Asian populations in North Carolina, a trend that continued into the 2000s.

Despite a recent slowdown in foreign-born migration, the meeting noted the emergence of mixed-status families, where one or more parents may be foreign-born or undocumented. Importantly, most children of foreign-born parents are U.S.-born citizens, with many born in North Carolina itself. The discussion also addressed misconceptions regarding birth rates among immigrant women of color compared to U.S.-born white women, clarifying that data does not support the notion that immigrant women have significantly higher birth rates.

These insights reflect the evolving demographic dynamics in North Carolina, emphasizing the importance of understanding and addressing the needs of a diverse population.