Which two countries were the largest sources of immigrants to the U.S. in the late 20th century?

The late 20th century saw significant immigration patterns shift in the United States, and Mexico and China emerged as the two largest sources of immigrants during this period. Mexican immigration was largely driven by economic opportunities, with many seeking jobs in agriculture, industry, and service sectors, while China's presence was fueled by various factors, including political unrest, economic opportunities, and the aftermath of China’s economic reforms and opening.

This pattern is reflective of broader global trends where proximity and economic ties can lead to higher immigration from certain countries. Mexico's geographic closeness to the United States and established communities make it a key source of immigration. Simultaneously, China’s economic expansion in the 1980s and 1990s spurred migration as individuals sought better opportunities abroad.

While the other options include significant immigrant populations, they do not represent the dominance seen with Mexico and China in terms of overall numbers in that era. Canada and India, despite their respective immigration contributions, did not match the scale of immigration from Mexico or the growing influx from China. Meanwhile, the Philippines and Vietnam, while important, were also not among the largest sources when comparing the sheer volume in the context of the late 20th century. Germany and the United Kingdom primarily characterized earlier waves