Photographs of immigrant teenagers.

Anne Rose: There are many similarities between French Guyana and America.

Manuel: In Peru, family is the main value. Families always get together on weekends or at any holiday. The people in communities in Peru are closer to each other than in the neighborhoods in the U.S. The people in Peru don’t have a lot of extra money to spend. So people are more helpful to each other. They try to find a way to help each other. They do things like selling food at cheap prices.

Immigrants to the United States in 2006 Home CountryNumber Mexico173,753 People’s Republic of China87,345 Philippines74,607 India61,369 Cuba45,614 Colombia43,151 Dominican Republic38,069 El Salvador31,783 Vietnam30,695 Jamaica24,976 Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Computer Linked Application Information Management System, Legal Immigrant Data, 2006.

Immigrants to the United States in 2006
Home CountryNumber
Mexico173,753
People’s Republic of China87,345
Philippines74,607
India61,369
Cuba45,614
Colombia43,151
Dominican Republic38,069
El Salvador31,783
Vietnam30,695
Jamaica24,976
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Computer Linked Application Information Management System, Legal Immigrant Data, 2006.

More than 1.2 million people came to the United States in 2006. Most are from Asia or Latin America. This chart shows the top ten home countries.

Interpret the Chart Which country did most immigrants come from in 2006?

Key Vocabulary
  • value n., something that people care about; a worthy idea
In Other Words
  • similarities things that are alike cheap low
Before You Move On

  • 1. Compare and Contrast According to these teens, how are families in other countries closer than they are in the United States?

  • 2. Vocabulary What are some examples of values in a culture?