The Unknown
Immigrants
Arabs- Where They Come From
• Arab world stretches
from Morocco to
Oman
• Iran, Pakistan, India
and Bangladesh not
Nations of the Arab
World
Arab Immigration
Most Arab Americans today are Native born Americans
Two Major waves occurred
1875-1920
1940-Present
Where Arab Americans Settle in the U.S.
• 3.5 Million Arab
Americans; population
in all 50 states.
• Over 1/3 are
concentrated specific
urban areas: Los
Angeles, Chicago,
Brooklyn.
Arab American Family and
Culture
• Slightly larger family
than the American
family
• Most wear modern
clothing and are not
staunchly traditional
Arab American Socioeconomic
Breakdown
• 85 % High school degree. 40% College B.S.
degree or higher (post graduate degree is twice
as high as the American average.)
• 95% are employed, 65% in labor force.
• Median household income is $47,000, nearly
$5,000 more than that of the average American
household.
Arab Beliefs
• Majority of Arabs
Americans are
Christian
• Arabs make up only
12% of Muslim
population world wide
Arab Americans in Popular
Culture
• Many famous Arab
Americans in
Hollywood
• Many Political Figures
• And even some
famous sports stars
Arab American Reaction to
September 11th
• 15 of the 19 hijackers
were Arabs
• Nearly All Arab
Americans responded
with sadness and
mourning
• 400 acts of violence
against Arab
Americans were
reported