SNAPSHOT OF U.S. IMMIGRATION 2017
SNAPSHOT OF U.S. IMMIGRATION 2017
https://www.alipac.us/safari-reader:...ssport_240.jpgThis brief provides demographic information for the foreign-born population in the U.S., including permanent and temporary legal admissions, refugees and people seeking or granted asylum, and unauthorized immigrants. It relies on the most recent data available.
The brief also includes additional resources for demographic data of the foreign-born at the national and state level.
| Native Born U.S. Citizens |
278.8 million |
| Naturalized Citizens |
20 million |
| Legal Noncitizens |
13.1 million |
| Unauthorized Immigrants |
11.1 million |
| Total U.S. Population |
322 million |
Main Source Countries/Regions of Immigrant Population
As of 2015, South or East Asia was the single largest source region (26.9 percent) followed by Mexico (26.8 percent). Other regions accounting for significant shares were Europe and Canada (13.5 percent), the Caribbean (9.6 percent), Central America (7.9 percent), South America (6.7 percent), the Middle East (4 percent) and sub-Saharan Africa (3.9 percent).
| Fiscal Year |
South or East Asia |
Mexico |
Europe and Canada |
Caribbean |
Central America |
South America |
Middle East |
Sub-Saharan Africa |
|---|
| 1960 |
338,328 |
575,902 |
8,208,811 |
193,922 |
48,949 |
89,536 |
141,013 |
13,696 |
| 1970 |
573,102 |
759,711 |
6,553,312 |
675,108 |
113,913 |
255,238 |
194,719 |
47,747 |
| 1980 |
2,258,351 |
2,199,221 |
5,992,431 |
1,258,363 |
353,892 |
561,011 |
324,850 |
129,946 |
| 1990 |
4,578,724 |
4,298,014 |
5,095,233 |
1,938,348 |
1,133,978 |
1,037,497 |
466,626 |
264,775 |
| 2000 |
7,528,999 |
9,177,487 |
5,736,328 |
2,953,066 |
2,026,150 |
1,930,271 |
771,999 |
690,809 |
| 2010 |
10,336,238 |
11,711,103 |
5,616,086 |
3,730,644 |
3,052,509 |
2,729,831 |
1,041,970 |
1,326,634 |
| 2015 |
12,112,272 |
11,643,298 |
5,620,290 |
4,165,453 |
3,384,629 |
2,918,029 |
1,274,241 |
1,716,425 |
https://www.alipac.us/safari-reader:...Source_700.jpg
Source: Migration Policy Institute
| Category |
FY 2015 |
| Family and Immediate Relatives |
678,978 |
| Employment |
144,047 |
| Refugees and Asylees |
151,995 |
| Diversity and Other |
76,011 |
| Total Visas Issued |
1,051,031 |
Permanent Residence
In fiscal year 2015, a total of 1,051,031 people obtained lawful permanent resident (LPR) status.
https://www.alipac.us/safari-reader:..._Permanent.jpgOf those granted LPR status, 54 percent were female and 46 percent were male. Fifty-two percent (542,315) were adjustment of status in the U.S. and 48 percent (508,716) were new arrivals. The top five countries of nationality were Mexico (15.2 percent), China (7.1 percent), India (6.1 percent), The Philippines (5.3 percent) and Cuba (5.1 percent).
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Temporary Visas (nonimmigrant)
Temporary visas are issued to business visitors and tourists, students, temporary workers and representatives of foreign governments or international organizations. In FY 2015, the U.S. Department of State issued approximately 10.9 million nonimmigrant visas, of which 66.1 percent were for temporary visitors for business or for pleasure. China is the leading country for temporary visa issuances (24.1 percent), followed by Mexico (13.6 percent), India (8.8 percent) and Brazil (8.5 percent).
Refugee/Humanitarian
In FY 2015, 69,920 refugees were admitted to the U.S. The main countries of origin were Burma (26.3 percent), Iraq (18.1 percent), Somalia (12.7 percent), the Democratic Republic of Congo (11.3 percent) and Bhutan (8.3 percent). Of the admitted refugees, 35.7 percent were under 16 years of age, 10 percent were between 16 and 20 years of age and 54.3 percent were over 21. Countries from which there was a significant increase in refugees from 2014 to 2015 are the Democratic Republic of Congo (7,876 refugees), Syria (1,682 refugees), Burundi (1,186 refugees) and the Ukraine (1,451 refugees). Cuban refugees decreased by 62.4 percent from the previous year.
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Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security
https://www.alipac.us/safari-reader:...re4_Asylum.jpg
In FY 2015, a total of 26,124 people were granted asylum in the U.S. The main countries of origin for asylum seekers in FY 2015 were China (23.7 percent), El Salvador (8.3 percent), Guatemala (8 percent ), Egypt (6.3 percent) and Honduras (5.4 percent).
Refugees must adjust to legal permanent resident status after one year of residence. Asylum seekers may apply for lawful residence one year after their grant of asylum.
Unauthorized Immigration
In 2017, approximately 11.1 million unauthorized immigrants were estimated to be residing in the U.S. The top countries of origin for unauthorized immigrants are Mexico (56%), Guatemala (7%), El Salvador (4%), Honduras (3%) and China (2%). Of the estimated 11.1 million unauthorized immigrants, 7.1% have been granted deferred status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program.
Additional Resources
Government
Research Institutions
Prepared by Maria Pimienti, NCSL Immigrant Policy Project fellow, summer 2017
For more information:
Ann Morse
Program Director, Immigrant Policy Project
Ann.Morse@NCSL.org
http://www.ncsl.org/research/immigra...tion-2017.aspx
