Immigration - Just the facts

By Associated Press on Sep 22, 2013, at 2:33 AM


  • The nation's total immigrant population reached a record 40.4 million in 2011.

Since 2007, the number of immigrants living in the U.S. increased by 2.4 million.


  • The number of unauthorized immigrants living in the U.S. also grew during the last decade, rising from 8.4 million in 2000 to 11.1 million in 2011
  • Up to 1.7 million of the 4.4 million unauthorized immigrants ages 30 and under who arrived in the U.S. before age 16 could potentially qualify for a new Obama administration program that shields them from deportation and enables them to apply for temporary but renewable work permits.
  • Some 85 percent of the 1.7 million young unauthorized immigrants eligible for the administration's new program are Hispanic.
  • Among the 50.7 million Hispanics in the United States, nearly two-thirds (65 percent), or 33 million, self-identify as being of Mexican origin.

source: The Pew Hispanic Center

Key elements of the Senate immigration bill:


  • The measure passed in June on a 68-32 vote.
  • Undocumented immigrants who arrived prior to Dec. 31, 2011, and have maintained continuous physical presence in the U.S. can obtain "registered provisional immigrant status" six months after enactment.
  • Before immigrants can register, the Department of Homeland Security must develop border security and fencing plans.
  • Immigrants are ineligible if they have a felony conviction or three or more misdemeanors.
  • Immigrants pay a $500 fine and receive provisional legal status for six years, after which the status is renewable for another six years for $500.
  • People in provisional legal status can work and travel in the U.S. but would not be eligible for most federal benefits, including health care and welfare.
  • People deported for noncriminal reasons can apply to re-enter in provisional status if they have a spouse or child who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, or if they had been brought to the U.S. as a child.
  • After 10 years in provisional status, immigrants can seek a green card and lawful permanent resident status if they are current on their taxes and pay a $1,000 fine, have maintained continuous physical presence in the U.S., meet work requirements and learn English.
  • People brought to the country as youths would be able to get green cards in five years, and citizenship immediately thereafter.
  • Certain border security requirements must be achieved within 10 years before any undocumented immigrant can obtain a permanent resident green card, including roughly doubling the number of Border Patrol agents along the U.S.-Mexico border and 700 miles of pedestrian fencing along the border.
  • A new W visa would allow up to 200,000 low-skilled workers a year into the country for jobs in construction, long-term care, hospitality and other industries.

source: The Associated Press


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