A recent study by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) commissioned by the Virginia General Assembly revealed that the foreign-born popula-tion in Virginia increased significantly between 1990 and 2000. The study also pointed out that more than 80 percent of the state’s foreign-born population is here legally. Of the estimated 570,000 residents in 2000, 232,000 had become naturalized citizens, another 234,000 had legal status, and 103,000 were undocumented. More than 40 percent emigrated from Asia, followed by Latin America with 33 percent. European and African emigration trailed far behind.
