On many applications USCIS requires people to declare both their race and their ethnicity. In this article, we are going to explore the definitions of race and ethnicity, how USCIS defines them, and examples of how some people have chosen to interpret and respond to these questions in the past.
What is the difference between race and ethnicity?
Race is a concept that usually refers to the phenotypical (physical) characteristics of a person and it can be self-identified or not. On the other hand, ethnicity takes into account the cultural components of a person’s upbringing, and it doesn’t typically refer to physical characteristics of that person. For example: Two people that both identify as Hispanic as their ethnicity may choose differently for their race, one White, another Black, or a mix of both.
How does USCIS define the different options?
On their applications USCIS usually has 2 questions about Race and Ethnicity:
- The first one that asks for a person’s ethnicity: The question simply asks if you consider yourself Hispanic or Latino OR Not Hispanic or Latino
- The second one asks for a person’s race and you can answer by marking one or more boxes. The options are: White, Asian, Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander.
Here is the definition of the different race options directly from USCIS instructions:
“When choosing between the race options, please make sure to carefully read through the USCIS definition of each of the options first.”
How should I answer if I am Hispanic/Latina/e/o/x?
Because USCIS considers Hispanic or Latino to be an ethnicity instead of a race, many people that choose the option “Hispanic or Latino” have different responses in the race question. Due to the multi-racial category that is Hispanic/Latina/e/o/x, many people choose between the options of White, Black, American Indian (if they have maintained tribal affiliation or community attachment as USCIS instructions show) or choose to mark more than one box.
How should I answer if I identify with more than one race/I Identify as biracial or multiracial?
The race question asks to mark *all applicable boxes*, so if you are a multi-racial person you can choose to mark all the boxes that apply to you.
Conclusion:
Please take into account that there isn’t a wrong or right answer for these questions. However, understanding USCIS definitions for race and ethnicity as well as a more clear understanding of how they define the various options within those questions, will hopefully help you answer this question more confidently and accurately.