Pakistani Americans

Immigration Patterns

Recordings of Pakistani immigration to the U.S. began in 1947 when Pakistan became an independent nation. Between the years of 1947 and 1965, about 2,500 Pakistanis immigrants arrived, according to data from the Immigration and Naturalization Service. The largest wave of immigrants arrived primarily after 1965, when the national immigration quota was lifted. The expired act allowed for a larger number of non-European immigrants; relatives of U.S. citizens; specialists with needed skills; and political, racial, and/or religious refugees. Many of the Pakistani immigrants were students and educated professionals, such as engineers, bankers, scientists, and pharmacists. Additionally, these immigrants came from urban areas; they tended to settle in areas similar to the cities they came from and thus found similar job opportunities.

The number of Pakistani immigrants swelled after 1970. This was due in part to the first wave of immigrants, who were now naturalized citizens and could serve as sponsors for the second immigration wave. The following decades continued to bring educated professionals; however, a significant number were less educated, middle-class immigrants.

Contemporary Community

Figures from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey indicate that there were 296,982 of Pakistan national origin in the United States in 2005. In terms of geographic distribution, the states with the highest number of Pakistani immigrants were: New York, Texas, California, Illinois, and Virginia. New York City has the largest Pakistani community. Other communities can be found in Chicago, Houston, and Washington, D.C.

In recent years, people from Pakistan have sought permanent residency and refugee status and completed the naturalization process to become citizens. From 1997 through 2006, about 1,400 Pakistanis immigrated to the United States annually. The number of refugees that arrived during these years was quite low, at 67. About 8,000 Pakistani Americans have become naturalized citizens annually, beginning in 1997.

While still being culturally distinct, Pakistani immigrants have assimilated to American culture quite easily. This is mainly due to the fact that they have few language barriers (due to the legacy of British colonization, most Pakistani Americans are fluent in English), are usually well educated, and come from a similar multi-ethnic society.

A significant segment of Pakistani Americans have achieved success in many fields, including medicine, engineering, finance, and information technology. However, another segment within the Pakistani American community is self-employed business people generating minimal profits in what has been termed the hourglass economy—that is, people engaged in work at either the higher end or lower end of the social class system. Therefore, according to the 2000 Census, the Pakistani American median family [Page 1011]income was $45,590, as compared to $50,890 for the nation as a whole.

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