One generation before you are not an immigrant, assuming you are part of the third-and-higher generation.
Understanding what defines an "immigrant" and "non-immigrant" in terms of generations is key to answering this question. These definitions categorize individuals based on their birthplace and the birthplace of their parents, reflecting a lineage's progression within a country.
Defining Generations
The U.S. Census Bureau provides clear definitions for generational status, which help delineate immigrant and non-immigrant classifications:
- First Generation: These individuals are foreign-born, meaning they were born outside the country. They are considered immigrants.
- Second Generation: These individuals are born in the U.S. but have at least one parent who was foreign-born. While they are U.S. natives themselves, their immediate family history is directly tied to immigration.
- Third-and-Higher Generation: This category includes individuals who are born in the U.S. and whose parents were both born in the U.S. This signifies a complete break from direct immigrant parentage in their immediate ancestry.
The following table summarizes these generational categories:
| Generational Category | Definition | Immigration Status |
|---|---|---|
| First Generation | Foreign-born | Considered an immigrant |
| Second Generation | U.S.-born with at least one foreign-born parent | Not foreign-born themselves, but closely linked to the immigrant experience through parents |
| Third-and-Higher Generation | U.S.-born with two U.S. native parents | Not an immigrant, and their parents are also not immigrants |
The "Not an Immigrant" Status
When the question asks "How many generations before you are not an immigrant?", it refers to your direct ancestors. Based on the definitions, a person is no longer considered foreign-born (an immigrant) if they are born in the U.S. This applies to both the second and third-and-higher generations.
However, the third-and-higher generation marks a specific milestone: these individuals have two U.S. native parents. This means that their parents (the generation directly before them) are themselves not foreign-born.
Let's consider scenarios based on your own generational status:
- If you are First Generation: You are foreign-born (an immigrant). The generations before you (your parents) would also typically be foreign-born. Therefore, zero generations before you are considered "not an immigrant" in this context.
- If you are Second Generation: You are U.S.-born, so you are not an immigrant (not foreign-born). However, the generation directly before you (your parent(s)) are foreign-born immigrants. So, zero generations directly before you are "not an immigrant."
- If you are Third-and-Higher Generation: You are U.S.-born, and critically, your parents are both U.S. native. Since your parents are U.S. native, they are not foreign-born, and therefore, they are not immigrants. They represent one generation before you.
Therefore, for an individual to have a generation before them that is considered "not an immigrant" (meaning, their ancestors are U.S. native and not foreign-born), that individual must be at least of the third-and-higher generation themselves. In this scenario, the one generation immediately preceding you—your parents—will be U.S. native and thus not immigrants.
