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This article distinguishes different theoretical approaches towards the international migration studies from the perspective of economic, social and political sciences. The author focuses on the interdisciplinary nature of the research of the mentioned phenomenon both for its detailed analysis and for defining its main notions.

The research analyzes the ethnic component of immigration to the USA that is characterized with the particular intensive growth in the late 20th and the early 21st centuries. The changes in the scope and structure of immigration were caused by the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act that became the basis for the US immigration policy liberalization. The article studies the immigration flows depending on the region of their origin.

In the article the impact of immigration on the process of American national identity formation is analyzed, distinguishing immigrants’ place and role within American nation. A significant role of immigrants in the USA is determined, regardless the domination concept used for explanation of the nature of American national character – melting pot or cultural pluralism.

In the article the author considers the key political and ideological factors of American national identity establishing, analyzing the main distinguishing features of American national character formation.