There are varying and sometimes contradictory definitions available online. The term “second-generation immigrant” is an oxymoron, so it’s easy to see why people would be confused by it. While we use the term “second-generation immigrant,” some people prefer the term “first-generation immigrant” to describe those born to immigrant parents in the host country. In this piece, we will adopt the definition from the US Census Bureau. First-generation immigrants, in their view, are the first members of their family to become U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Most of the time, these are referred to as the “immigrant parents.” Conversely, second-generation immigrants are American citizens born to parents who were originally from another country.
