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Data Dictionary: ACS 2008 (3-Year Estimates)
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Data Source: Social Explorer; U.S. Census Bureau
Table: T131. Year of Entry for the Foreign-Born Population [5]
Universe: Foreign-born Population
Table Details
T131. Year of Entry for the Foreign-Born Population
Universe: Foreign-born Population
Variable Label
T131_001
Foreign-Born Population:
T131_002
2000 or Later
T131_003
1990 to 1999
T131_004
1980 to 1989
T131_005
Before 1980
Relevant Documentation:
Excerpt from: Social Explorer; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey 2006-2008 Summary File: Technical Documentation.
  ACS 2008-3yr Summary File: Technical Documentation -> Appendix B: Subject Definitions -> Population Variables -> Year of Entry
Year of Entry
The data on year of entry were derived from answers to Question 9.

All respondents born outside the United States were asked for the year in which they came to live in the United States. This includes people born in Puerto Rico and U.S. Island Areas; people born abroad of an U.S. citizen parent or parents; and the foreign born. (See "Citizenship Status.") For the Puerto Rico Community Survey, respondents were asked for the year in which they came to live in Puerto Rico.
Limitation of the Data
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Respondents were directed to indicate the year they entered the U.S. (or Puerto Rico, for the Puerto Community Survey) "to live." For respondents who have entered the U.S. (or Puerto Rico for the Puerto Rico Community Survey) multiple times, the interviewers were instructed to request the most recent year of entry. For respondents who either did not ask the interviewer for clarification or for those who mailed back the questionnaire without being interviewed in person, it was difficult to ensure that respondents interpreted the question as intended.

Beginning in 2006, the population in group quarters (GQ) is included in the ACS. Some types of GQ populations may have year of entry distributions that are different from the household population. The inclusion of the GQ population could therefore have a noticeable impact on the year of entry distribution. This is particularly true for areas with a substantial GQ population.

Question/Concept History
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Since 1996, the year of entry questions for the American Community Survey and for the Puerto Rico Survey were identical. An instruction was added beginning in 1999 to "Print numbers in boxes."
Excerpt from: Social Explorer; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey 2006-2008 Summary File: Technical Documentation.
  ACS 2008-3yr Summary File: Technical Documentation -> Appendix B: Subject Definitions -> Population Variables -> Place of Birth -> Foreign Born
Foreign Born
The foreign-born population includes anyone who was not a U.S. citizen at birth. This includes respondents who indicated they were a U.S. citizen by naturalization or not a U.S. citizen. (See also "Citizenship Status".)
The foreign-born population is shown by selected area, country, or region of birth. The places of birth shown in data products were chosen based on the number of respondents who reported that area or country of birth.