U.S.A. July 3, 2023 THE ASIAN REPORTER n Page 7 Immigration drove white, Asian population growth in U.S. last year By Mike Schneider The Associated Press W ithout immigration, the white population in the U.S. would have declined last year. Immigration also propelled the expan- sion of the Asian population, which was the fastest-growing race or ethnic group last year in the U.S., while births outpacing deaths helped propel growth in Hispanic, Black, tribal, and Hawaiian populations. Population estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau show what drove changes in different race, ethnic, and age groups last year, as well as since the start of COVID-19’s spread in the U.S. in April 2020. The country had grown to 333.2 million people by the middle of last year, a 0.4% increase over the previous year, ac- cording to the 2022 population estimates. For white residents in the U.S., immigration drove the expansion. Without it, the white population, including those who identify as more than one race, would have dropped last year by more than 85,000 people instead of growing meagerly by more than 388,000 residents, or 0.1%. When the focus is narrowed to white people who aren’t Hispanic and identify only with a single race, there was a decline of more than 668,000 people in the white population since the number of immigrants couldn’t overcome the steep drop in natural decrease that came from deaths outnumbering births last year. Population growth is propelled in two ways: through immigration and natural increase, when births outpace deaths. The recent data speak to the complexity of the nation’s ever-shifting population patterns and reinforce a level of nuance not always reflected amid the political debate over immigration. “Immigrant and refugee communities bring talent, culture, and a set of skills that are needed in our community,” said Arrey Obenson, president and CEO of the International Institute of St. Louis, which helps newcomers adapt to life in the U.S. Since the start of the pandemic in April 2020, the white population has grown by 391,000 people, all of it driven by immigration. Hamdullah Hamdard immigrated to St. Louis in September 2021 from Afghanistan, where he had run a media production company, after threats from the Taliban and deteriorating conditions made it unsafe for his wife, son, brothers, and parents. He started a production company in St. Louis, runs a news outlet for the local Afghan community, and is a communications manager for the International Institute of St. Louis. “I could start my own business once again, and I could pursue the dreams that I had in Afghanistan,” Hamdard, 31, said. The United States last year had 260.5 million people who identified as white, including those who identify as more than one race. Maricopa County, home to Phoenix, had the biggest jump in the white population of any county, gaining more than 35,000 new white residents last year. Arizona’s largest county also had the biggest gain in the overall population of any U.S. county, with a jump in 2022 of almost 57,000 new residents due to domestic migration. Japan raises the age of sexual consent to 16 from 13, which was among the world’s lowest Continued from page 4 below age 16 considered rape. They specify eight scenarios of “consentless sex crimes,” a new term for forced sexual intercourse, including being assaulted under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fear, or intimidation. They also ban the filming, distribution, and possession of sexually exploitative images taken without consent. The statute of limitations for sex crimes was also extended by five years, to 10 years for consentless sexual intercourse. That crime is now subject to up to 15 years in prison, while “photo voyeurism” can be punished by up to three years’ imprisonment. The changes were sparked in part by a case in Nagoya in which a father who raped his 19-year-old daughter was acquitted by a court which ruled that while Black Pearl Acupuncture RESTAURANT FOR SALE Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine are great for: Great location. 3,520 s.f. Large parking lot. 150 seats. Part of 82nd Ave. culture for 24 years. Please call: (503) 863-6579 - Acute/Chronic Pain (i.e. neck, back, sciatica & shoulder) - Treating & Preventing the flu and colds - Stress Relief - Headaches/Migraines www.blackpearlacupuncture.com Immigration also drove Asian growth last year, accounting for two-thirds of the 577,000-person increase in people who identify as Asian, including those who identify with more than one race. That 2.4% bump was the largest of any race or ethnic group, and there were 24.6 million Asians in the U.S. last year. King County, Washington — home to Seattle — added almost 21,500 Asian residents, the most of any U.S. county last year. The Hispanic population in the U.S. grew by more than 1 million people last year, the biggest jump in pure numbers of any race or ethnic group. Two-thirds of that expansion was driven by natural increase, or births outpacing deaths. More CENSUS FINDINGS. People recite an oath at a naturalization ceremony held in San Diego in this February 15, 2023 file photo. Recent population estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau show what drove changes in different race and ethnic groups last year, as well as since the start of COVID-19’s spread in the U.S. in April 2020. The United States had grown to 333.2 million people by the middle of last year, a 0.4% increase over the previous year, according to the 2022 population estimates. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File) than 63.3 million people identified as Hispanic last year, a 1.7% increase over the previous year. The biggest Hispanic growth in pure numbers was in Harris County, Texas, home to Houston, which added almost 35,000 Latinos last year. Natural increase also drove almost two-thirds of the 436,000-person jump in the Black population last year, a 0.9% increase from the previous year. The Black population stood at 50 million residents in 2022. Harris County, Texas, had the largest numeric gain of Black residents of any U.S. county, with almost 23,000 residents. The American Indian and Alaska Native population stood at 7.2 million residents last year, an increase of more than 93,000 people, or 1.3%. Maricopa County in Arizona had the biggest numeric gain, with more than 3,100 new residents. There were more than 1.7 million Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders in the U.S. last year, an increase of 1.2% over the previous year. Clark County, Nevada, home to Las Vegas, had the biggest increase, with almost 1,500 new residents. the daughter did not give her consent, she did not resist violently. The decision prompted nationwide protests. Activists said the new LGBTQ+ law threatens them instead of promoting equality because of last-minute changes which apparently catered to opponents of transgender rights. Japan is the only member of the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations which does not have LGTBQ+ legal pro- tections. Support for same-sex marriage and other rights has grown among the Japanese public, but opposition remains strong within the governing Liberal Democratic Party, known for conservative values and a reluctance to promote gender equality and sexual diversity. The final version of the law states that “unjust discrimination” is unacceptable but doesn’t clearly ban discrimination. It says that conditions should be created so that “all citizens can live with peace of mind,” which activists say shows the governing party prioritized the concerns of opponents of equal rights over the rights of sexual minorities. “The law does not look at us or our ordeals, and instead looks to the direction of those causing us pain,” said Minori Tokieda, a transgender woman. “I’m deeply concerned about how the law treats us as if our presence threatens the people’s sense of safety.” Sa f e t y & m a i n t e n a n c e i m p r o v e m e n t s a r e co m i n g t o 8 2 n d A v e n u e Sita Symonette Licensed Acupuncturist seasymonettea@gmail.com Call to schedule an appointment: (503) 308-9363 505 N.W. Ninth Ave., Portland, OR 97209 Join us for in-person workshops to learn about the transportation issues and opportunities along 82nd Avenue and share your project ideas with us for the future of the street. Use your smartphone to scan the QR code and learn more The staff at The Asian Reporter wish you and your family a safe and happy Independence Day!