This review examines research about current levels and recent changes
in ethnic and racial stratification in the United States. Research abo
ut ethnic inequality emphasizes that economic stagnation and restructu
ring are troubling impediments to progress toward equality, and it sho
ws evidence that employers may still use racial and ethnic queues in h
iring. A number of issues arise with respect to the incorporation of t
he new waves of immigrants who have arrived since immigration law refo
rm in 1965. We discuss patterns of adaptation of new immigrants, inclu
ding available evidence on the ethnic enclave economy and substitution
in the labor market of immigrants for native minorities. We summarize
new theories and hypotheses about the fate of the children of recent
immigrants, and we point to topics in this area needing further resear
ch.