Frequently Requested Statistics on Immigrants and Immigration in the United States
Aaron Terrazas and Jeanne Batalova
Migration Policy Institute
October 27, 2009
From Mexican immigrants to health-care coverage to government budgets and backlogs, MPI's Aaron Terrazas and Jeanne Batalova have assembled in one article the latest data on immigrants and immigration from a variety of official sources.

Temporary Admissions of Nonimmigrants to the United States
Jeanne Batalova, PhD
Migration Policy Institute
September 29, 2009
There were nearly 40 million temporary admissions to the United States in 2008, more than twice the number in 1990. MPI's Jeanne Batalova outlines the definition of nonimmigrants and takes a detailed look at admissions data and data limitations.

Spotlight on Naturalization Trends
Jeanne Batalova
Migration Policy Institute
August 5, 2009
Over one million immigrants — one-third from Mexico, India, and the Philippines — became US citizens in 2008. MPI's Jeanne Batalova takes a detailed look at the latest naturalization trends in the United States.

Spotlight on Refugees and Asylees in the United States
Jeanne Batalova
Migration Policy Institute
July 13, 2009
In 2008, the United States raised the ceiling on refugee admission by 10,000, admitted more than 60,000 refugees for resettlement, and granted asylum to nearly 23,000 people. MPI's Jeanne Batalova takes a detailed look at refugee and asylum statistics in the United States.

Spotlight on Legal Immigration to the United States
Jeanne Batalova
Migration Policy Institute
June 4, 2009
More than 1.1 million persons became legal permanent residents (LPRs) in the United States in 2008. Nearly two-thirds of new LPRs are immigrants with family ties in the United States, reports MPI's Jeanne Batalova in this updated look at the latest statistics on legal immigration.

Older Immigrants in the United States
Aaron Terrazas
Migration Policy Institute
May 13, 2009
The 4.5 million older immigrants residing in the United States in 2007 accounted for 12 percent of all senior citizens age 65 and older. MPI's Aaron Terrazas examines the socioeconomic characteristics, where they live, their health and disability status, and their sources of income.

Middle-Class Immigrant Households in the United States
Aaron Terrazas
Migration Policy Institute
April 15, 2009
The middle class has received considerable attention during the current economic crisis. About 15 million people resided in middle-class immigrant households in 2007, and three-quarters of all children in such households were native-born US citizens. MPI's Aaron Terrazas examines where the heads of middle-class immigrant households are from, when they arrived in the United States, their occupations, and other characteristics.

Iraqi Immigrants in the United States
Aaron Terrazas
Migration Policy Institute
March 5, 2009
The 102,000 Iraqi immigrants residing in the United States in 2007 accounted for just 0.3 percent of all US immigrants. MPI's Aaron Terrazas examines their socioeconomic characteristics, where they live, and the category of admission of the Iraqi-born immigrant population.

African Immigrants in the United States
Aaron Terrazas
Migration Policy Institute
February 10, 2009
The 1.4 million African immigrants residing in the United States in 2007 accounted for 3.7 percent of all US immigrants. MPI's Aaron Terrazas examines their socioeconomic characteristics, where they live, and the category of admission of the African-born immigrant population.

Korean Immigrants in the United States
Aaron Terrazas
Migration Policy Institute
January 5, 2009
The 1.0 million Korean immigrants residing in the United States in 2007 accounted for 2.7 percent of all US immigrants. MPI's Aaron Terrazas examines their socioeconomic characteristics, where they live, and the size of the Korean-born unauthorized population.

Characteristics of the Foreign Born in the US

College-Educated Immigrant Workers in the United States
Jeanne Batalova and Michael Fix
Migration Policy Institute
November 24, 2008
In 2007, 15 percent of all college graduates in the US labor force were immigrants. MPI's Jeanne Batalova and Michael Fix look at their demographic and socioeconomic profile.

Immigrants in the US Armed Forces
Jeanne Batalova, PhD
Migration Policy Institute
May 15, 2008
About 65,000 immigrants serve across the US military's four branches, and more than two-thirds are naturalized citizens. MPI's Jeanne Batalova examines where these immigrants are from and the policies that grant them citizenship.

Foreign-Born Wage and Salary Workers in the US Labor Force and Unions
Chuncui Velma Fan and Jeanne Batalova, PhD
Migration Policy Institute
August 28, 2007
Of the 15.36 million union members in 2006, 12 percent were foreign born. MPI's Chuncui Velma Fan and Jeanne Batalova examine the data on immigrants and labor unions from 1996 to 2006.

The Recently Arrived Foreign Born in the United States
Jeanne Batalova and Aaron Matteo Terrazas
Migration Policy Institute
May 24, 2007
Over half of the foreign born in the United States in 2005 arrived in 1990 or later. MPI's Jeanne Batalova and Aaron Terrazas look at the countries of origin, education levels, occupations, and other characteristics of newer immigrants.

Foreign-Born Health-Care Workers in the United States
Esha Clearfield and Jeanne Batalova
Migration Policy Institute
February 1, 2007
In 2005, 15 percent of all US health-care workers were foreign born. MPI's Esha Clearfield and Jeanne Batalova report.

The Foreign Born in the Armed Services
Laura Barker and Jeanne Batalova PhD
Migration Policy Institute
January 15, 2007
Latin America and the Caribbean account for the largest percentage of the foreign born in the armed forces. MPI's Laura Barker and Jeanne Batalova report.

Spotlight on Foreign Born in Areas Affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
Jeanne Batalova
Migration Policy Institute
October 1, 2005
According to the 2000 census, more than 150,000 foreign born lived in the counties affected by Hurricane Katrina. MPI's Jeanne Batalova takes a detailed look at the foreign-born population in the areas hit by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Foreign-Born Self-Employed in the United States
Jeanne Batalova and David Dixon
Migration Policy Institute
April 1, 2005
About one in 10 US immigrants is self-employed. MPI’s Jeanne Batalova and David Dixon explore the importance and dimensions of this phenomenon.

College-Educated Foreign Born in the US Labor Force
Jeanne Batalova
Migration Policy Institute
February 1, 2005
The importance of knowledge, skills, and technologies in post-industrial economies has beckoned well-educated migrants to the United States. MPI's Jeanne Batalova takes a detailed look at the foreign born with a bachelor's degree or higher.

Educational Attainment of the Foreign Born in the United States
Elizabeth Grieco
Migration Policy Institute
July 1, 2004

Sex Ratios of the Foreign Born in the United States
Elizabeth Grieco
Migration Policy Institute
March 1, 2003
MPI Data Manager Elizabeth Grieco examines the ratio of men to women among various foreign born groups in the United States.

English Abilities of the US Foreign-Born Population
Elizabeth Grieco
Migration Policy Institute
January 1, 2003
Using Census 2000 data, MPI Data Manager Elizabeth Grieco examines the ability to speak English among the foreign born at the national, regional, and state levels.

Characteristics of the Foreign Born in the United States: Results from Census 2000
Elizabeth Grieco
Migration Policy Institute
December 1, 2002
This Spotlight by Elizabeth Grieco, MPI Data Manager, examines some of the demographic, social, and economic characteristics of the foreign-born population in the United States.

Settlement Patterns of the Foreign Born in the United States: Results from Census 2000
Elizabeth Grieco
Migration Policy Institute
October 1, 2002
Although the foreign born remain concentrated in certain states, many immigrants are moving into "non-traditional" areas. Elizabeth Grieco, MPI Data Manager, has prepared a spotlight on their settlement patterns.

Immigrant Women
Elizabeth Grieco
Migration Policy Institute
May 22, 2002
Since the early 1990s, there have been more female than male immigrants to the United States. This Spotlight by Elizabeth Grieco, MPI Data Manager, examines some of the characteristics of this important group of immigrants.

Foreign-Born Populations by Country/Region of Origin

Filipino Immigrants in the United States
Aaron Terrazas
Migration Policy Institute
September 10, 2008
The 1.6 million Filipino immigrants residing in the United States in 2006 accounted for 4.4 percent of all US immigrants. MPI's Aaron Terrazas examines their socioeconomic characteristics, where they live, and the size of the Filipino-born unauthorized population.

Vietnamese Immigrants in the United States
Aaron Terrazas
Migration Policy Institute
August 12, 2008
In 2006, 1.1 million Vietnamese immigrants resided in the United States, accounting for 3.0 percent of all US immigrants. MPI's Aaron Terrazas examines their socioeconomic characteristics, where they live, and the size of the Vietnamese-born unauthorized population.

Indian Immigrants in the United States
Aaron Terrazas
Migration Policy Institute
July 11, 2008
The 1.5 million Indian immigrants residing in the United States accounted for 4.0 percent of all US immigrants in 2006. MPI's Aaron Terrazas examines their socioeconomic characteristics, where they live, and the size of the Indian-born unauthorized population.

Chinese Immigrants in the United States
Aaron Matteo Terrazas and Bhavna Devani
Migration Policy Institute
June 13, 2008
In 2006, about 1.6 million Chinese immigrants resided in the United States. MPI's Aaron Matteo Terrazas and Bhavna Devani examine their socioeconomic characteristics, where they live, and the size of the legal and unauthorized population from China.

Mexican Immigrants in the United States
Jeanne Batalova PhD
Migration Policy Institute
April 23, 2008
In 2006, more than 11.5 million Mexican immigrants resided in the United States, accounting for 30.7 percent of all US immigrants. MPI's Jeanne Batalova examines the number of Mexican immigrants in the United States, their socioeconomic characteristics, where they live, and the size of the Mexican-born unauthorized population.

Spotlight on the Foreign Born of Pakistani Origin in the United States
Jeanne Batalova and Uriah Ferruccio
Migration Policy Institute
February 11, 2008
In 2006, about 271,000 foreign born of Pakistani origin were residing in the United States. MPI's Jeanne Batalova and Uriah Ferruccio examine the geographic distribution and socioeconomic characteristics of this population.

Detailed Characteristics of the Caribbean Born in the United States
Julia Gelatt and David Dixon
Migration Policy Institute
July 1, 2006
The Caribbean born accounted for almost 10 percent of the total US foreign-born population in 2000. MPI's Julia Gelatt and David Dixon look at the social and economic profiles of the foreign born from this region.

Spotlight on the Iranian Foreign Born
Shirin Hakimzadeh and David Dixon
Migration Policy Institute
June 1, 2006
The size of the Iranian born population in the United States has more than doubled since Iran's Islamic Revolution of 1978-1979. MPI’s Shirin Hakimzadeh and David Dixon provide background and statistics.

Detailed Characteristics of the South American Born in the United States
David Dixon and Julia Gelatt
Migration Policy Institute
May 1, 2006
The majority of South American born counted in the 2000 census were from Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. MPI's David Dixon and Julia Gelatt look at the social and economic profiles of the foreign born from this region.

The Central American Foreign Born in the United States
Megan Davy
Migration Policy Institute
April 1, 2006
Over half of all Central American foreign born in the United States are from El Salvador and Guatemala. MPI's Megan Davy examines the numbers as well as events and policies that have shaped Central American migration.

Characteristics of the Asian Born in the United States
David Dixon
Migration Policy Institute
March 1, 2006
The Asian born accounted for more than a quarter of the total US foreign-born population in 2000. MPI's David Dixon looks at the social and economic profiles of the foreign born from Eastern, Southeastern South Central and Western Asia.

Characteristics of the African Born in the United States
David Dixon
Migration Policy Institute
January 1, 2006
MPI's David Dixon looks at the social and economic profiles of the foreign born from Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Africa.

Characteristics of the European Born in the United States
David Dixon
Migration Policy Institute
February 1, 2005
The European born are more likely to be proficient in English, work in higher-level occupations, and have higher earnings than the overall foreign-born population. MPI's David Dixon examines the social and economic profiles of the foreign born from Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Europe.

The Foreign-Born Hmong in the United States
Jennifer Yau
Migration Policy Institute
January 1, 2005
Over 15,000 Hmong from Laos are being resettled in the US, the latest wave of refugees from the era of US involvement in Indochina. This Spotlight by MPI's Jennifer Yau examines the political developments and demographic impact of the Hmong refugee experience.

The Foreign Born from Korea in the United States
Jennifer Yau
Migration Policy Institute
December 1, 2004
MPI's Jennifer Yau takes a detailed look at the foreign born from Korea in the United States.

The Foreign Born from the Dominican Republic in the United States
Elizabeth Grieco
Migration Policy Institute
October 1, 2004
Elizabeth Grieco takes a detailed look at the foreign born from the Dominican Republic in the United States.

The African Foreign Born in the United States
Elizabeth Grieco
Migration Policy Institute
September 1, 2004
MPI Senior Demographer Elizabeth Grieco takes a detailed look at the population of African foreign born in the United States.

The Foreign Born from Canada in the United States
Betsy Cooper and Elizabeth Grieco
Migration Policy Institute
August 1, 2004
MPI's Betsy Cooper and Senior Demographer Elizabeth Grieco map out the characteristics of Canadians in the United States.

Spotlight on Haitians in the United States
Kathleen Newland and Elizabeth Grieco
Migration Policy Institute
April 1, 2004
Amid fears that the recent conflict in Haiti could spur a new wave of refugees, this month's Spotlight by MPI Director Kathleen Newland and Data Manager Elizabeth Grieco examines the Haitian population in the United States, and US policies regarding Haiti.

Mexican Immigrants in the US Labor Force
Elizabeth Grieco and Brian Ray
Migration Policy Institute
March 1, 2004
MPI’s Elizabeth Grieco and Brian Ray outline the characteristics of Mexican immigrants in the US workforce.

The Foreign Born from Vietnam in the United States
Elizabeth Grieco
Migration Policy Institute
February 1, 2004
MPI Data Manager Elizabeth Grieco provides an overview of the fifth-largest immigrant group in the United States.

The Foreign Born from China in the United States
Elizabeth Grieco
Migration Policy Institute
January 1, 2004
MPI Data Manager Elizabeth Grieco provides an overview of the fourth-largest immigrant group in the United States.

The Foreign Born from India in the United States
Elizabeth Grieco
Migration Policy Institute
December 1, 2003
MPI Data Manager Elizabeth Grieco provides an overview of the third-largest immigrant group in the United States.

The Foreign Born from the Philippines in the United States
Elizabeth Grieco
Migration Policy Institute
November 1, 2003
MPI Data Manager Elizabeth Grieco provides an overview of the second-largest immigrant group in the United States.

The Foreign Born from Mexico in the United States
Elizabeth Grieco
Migration Policy Institute
October 1, 2003
MPI Data Manager Elizabeth Grieco provides an overview of the largest immigrant group in the United States.

African-born Residents of the United States
Jill Wilson
Migration Policy Institute
August 1, 2003
MPI’s Jill Wilson provides an in-depth look at the United States’ population of people born in Africa.

Foreign-Born Hispanics in the United States
Elizabeth Grieco
Migration Policy Institute
February 1, 2003
Data Manager Elizabeth Grieco examines the size and distribution of the foreign-born Hispanic population throughout the United States.

Hispanos nacidos en el extranjero que viven en los Estados Unidos
Elizabeth Grieco
Instituto de Política Migratoria
February 1, 2003
La Gerente de Datos Elizabeth Grieco considera el tamaño y la distribución de la población hispana extranjera en los EEUU.

Immigrants and Immigration and Social Policies in the US

Spotlight on Temporary Admissions of Nonimmigrants to the United States
Jeanne Batalova, PhD
Migration Policy Institute
March 17, 2008
There were nearly 34 million temporary admissions to the United States in 2006, twice the number in 1990. MPI's Jeanne Batalova outlines the definition of nonimmigrants and takes a detailed look at admissions data and data limitations.

Spotlight on Naturalization Trends in Advance of the 2008 Elections
Claire Bergeron and Jeanne Batalova, PhD
Migration Policy Institute
January 16, 2008
In 2006, nearly 15.2 million naturalized citizens were eligible to vote in the United States. MPI's Claire Bergeron and Jeanne Batalova examine naturalization trends.

Spotlight on Foreign Students and Exchange Visitors
Jeanne Batalova, PhD
Migration Policy Institute
November 1, 2006
The United States' education system has been a major educational destination for foreign students for decades. MPI’s Jeanne Batalova describes the foreign student and exchange visitor population in the United States and highlights recent policy developments affecting them.

The Second Generation in the United States
David Dixon
October 1, 2006
Members of the second generation are more likely to finish college than both the foreign born and those who are third generation and higher. David Dixon looks at general social and demographic characteristics of the second generation in the United States.

Spotlight on Temporary Admissions of Nonimmigrants to the United States
Jeanne Batalova, PhD
Migration Policy Institute
September 1, 2006
The total number of nonimmigrants admitted to the US more than tripled between 1985 and 2005. MPI's Jeanne Batalova outlines the definition of nonimmigrants and takes a detailed look at admissions data.

Spotlight on Naturalization Trends
Jeanne Batalova, PhD
Migration Policy Institute
September 1, 2006
Over 604,000 immigrants received US citizenship in 2005. MPI's Jeanne Batalova takes a detailed look at the latest naturalization trends in the United States.

Spotlight on Limited English Proficient Students in the United States
Jeanne Batalova
Migration Policy Institute
February 1, 2006
About five million students with limited proficiency in English were enrolled in US public schools in the 2003-2004 school year. MPI's Jeanne Batalova examines their characteristics.

Who Does What in US Immigration
Megan Davy, Deborah W. Meyers, and Jeanne Batalova
Migration Policy Institute
December 1, 2005
The US federal government has spread immigration-related responsibilities among six agencies. MPI’s Megan Davy, Deborah Meyers, and Jeanne Batalova explain which agencies handle such tasks as assisting refugees, issuing visas, and handling interior enforcement.

The US Refugee Resettlement Program
Erin Patrick
Migration Policy Institute
June 1, 2004
MPI Associate Policy Analyst Erin Patrick provides the latest figures on the US refugee resettlement program, which is still operating well below traditional levels long after being thrown into crisis by the Sept. 11 attacks.

Naturalization in the United States
Sarah Margon
Migration Policy Institute
May 1, 2004
MPI's Sarah Margon outlines the latest developments affecting US migration policy, including the application of the US-VISIT program to nationals of visa-waiver countries.

Family Reunification
Ramah McKay
Migration Policy Institute
May 1, 2003
MPI’s Ramah McKay examines the family reunification program, which accounts for approximately two-thirds of permanent immigration to the US each year.

Iraqi Immigrants in the United States
Elizabeth Grieco
Migration Policy Institute
April 1, 2003
With the war in Iraq intensifying, the media has focused on the Iraqi foreign born in the United States. To ensure the accuracy of public debate, MPI Data Manager Elizabeth Grieco uses US Census Bureau statistics to describe the size of the Iraqi immigrant population.

'Special Registration' Program
Maia Jachimowicz and Ramah McKay
April 1, 2003
MPI Research Assistants Maia Jachimowicz and Ramah McKay outline the government's "Special Registration" program, which is designed to register foreign visitors from certain designated countries who are already in the United States.

Immigrants and Welfare Use
Amanda Levinson
Migration Policy Institute
August 1, 2002
The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996 dramatically reformed the nation's welfare system. MPI's Amanda Levinson takes a closer look at how these changes affected immigrants.

Remittances and Development

Remittances from the United States in Context
Kevin O'Neil
Migration Policy Institute
June 1, 2003
MPI Research Assistant Kevin O'Neil outlines key aspects of remittances from the United States.

Statistics on US Immigration

Immigration Enforcement in the United States
Aaron Terrazas
Migration Policy Institute
October 8, 2008
In 2006, Department of Homeland Security immigration officials made over 1.2 million apprehensions of immigrants at points of entry along the US border and within the United States. MPI's Aaron Terrazas examines the most recent data on immigration enforcement.

Spotlight on Refugees and Asylees in the United States
Kelly O'Donnell and Jeanne Batalova, PhD
Migration Policy Institute
December 17, 2007
In 2006, the US admitted more than 41,000 refugees for resettlement and granted asylum to more than 26,000 people. MPI's Kelly O'Donnell and Jeanne Batalova take a detailed look at refugee and asylum statistics in the United States.

Spotlight on Legal Immigration to the United States
Gretchen Reinemeyer and Jeanne Batalova
Migration Policy Institute
November 15, 2007
Nearly 1.3 million individuals became lawful permanent residents of the United States in 2006. MPI's Gretchen Reinemeyer and Jeanne Batalova look at the latest statistics on legal immigration.

Spotlight on Immigration Enforcement in the United States
Dawn Konet and Jeanne Batalova
Migration Policy Institute
March 22, 2007
In 2005, US immigration officials detained nearly a quarter of a million individuals. MPI's Dawn Konet and Jeanne Batalova look at the most recent data on apprehensions, detentions, and removals.

Spotlight on Legal Immigration to the United States
Jeanne Batalova, PhD
Migration Policy Institute
August 1, 2006
The number of new immigrant arrivals has remained relatively stable since 1986. MPI’s Jeanne Batalova looks at data on permanent immigration to the US.

Spotlight on Refugees and Asylees in the United States
Jeanne Batalova, PhD
Migration Policy Institute
August 1, 2006
In 2005, the United States admitted almost 54,000 refugees for resettlement and granted asylum to more than 25,000 people. MPI’s Jeanne Batalova takes a detailed look at refugee and asylum statistics in the United States.

US Immigration Statistics in 2003
Deborah Meyers and Jennifer Yau
Migration Policy Institute
November 1, 2004
MPI's Deborah Meyers and Jennifer Yau highlight data from the 2003 Yearbook of Immigration Statistics.

Foreign Students and Exchange Visitors
Maia Jachimowicz
Migration Policy Institute
September 1, 2003
MPI's Maia Jachimowicz looks at the large population of foreign students and educational exchange visitors in the US and outlines recent policy developments affecting them.

Temporary High-Skilled Migration
Maia Jachimowicz and Deborah W. Meyers
Migration Policy Institute
November 1, 2002
Globalization has made the international mobility of high-skilled workers a vital issue for the United States. MPI's Maia Jachimowicz and Policy Analyst Deborah W. Meyers explain the complicated visa system for high-skilled temporary workers.