U.S. Immigration Trends and Insights: 2024 Overview
The United States stands as the leading destination for immigrants globally, housing approximately one-fifth of the world’s international migrants. These individuals hail from nearly every country, reflecting a rich tapestry of global diversity. Here, we explore key aspects of the U.S. immigrant population based on research from the Pew Research Center.
How Many Immigrants Live in the U.S.?
As of 2023, the U.S. foreign-born population reached a record 47.8 million, marking a 1.6 million increase from the previous year—the largest annual rise in over two decades. This population now represents 14.3% of the U.S. total, a significant jump from 4.7% in 1970. While this proportion is the highest since 1910, it remains below the historic peak of 14.8% recorded in 1890.
Immigration growth accelerated following the 1965 changes to US immigration laws, shaping the modern demographic landscape.
Where Do U.S. Immigrants Come From?
Mexico remains the leading country of origin for U.S. immigrants, with 10.6 million individuals (23% of the total) in 2022. Other top origins include:
• India: 6%
• China: 5%
• Philippines: 4%
• El Salvador: 3%
• Pakistan: 1%
When categorized by regions, immigrants from Asia account for the largest share (28%), followed by Latin America (27%, excluding Mexico), Europe and North America (12%), Sub-Saharan Africa (5%), and the Middle East and North Africa (4%).
Shifting Immigration Patterns Over Time
Immigration patterns have evolved significantly, influenced by pivotal legislation:
▲Pre-1965: U.S. immigration laws prioritized Northern and Western Europeans, largely excluding Asians.
▲Post-1965: The Immigration and Nationality Act opened pathways for Asian and Latin American immigrants.
▲1990s: The Immigration Act of 1990 further broadened access, encouraging arrivals from diverse countries.
Over the decades, immigration has diversified:
▲1840–1889: Europe accounted for 90% of immigrants, mainly from Germany, Ireland, and the UK.
▲1890–1919: Nearly 60% came from Italy, Austria-Hungary, and Russia-Poland.
▲ Since 1965: Latin America (50%) and Asia (25%) have dominated.
Recent Immigration Trends
In 2022, Mexico remained the top source of new immigrants, contributing about 150,000 arrivals. India (145,000) and China (90,000) followed closely, with Venezuela, Cuba, Brazil, and Canada each sending 50,000–60,000 individuals, and Pakistan also made a notable contribution, with an estimated 40,000–50,000 new immigrants arriving in the United States in 2022.
The Great Recession (2007–2009) marked a pivotal shift in immigration patterns. During this period, Asian immigration surpassed Hispanic arrivals for nearly a decade, largely driven by the influx from countries like India, China, and Pakistan. However, since 2019, a resurgence in immigration from Latin America has reversed this trend, with countries such as Mexico, Venezuela, and Cuba contributing to a renewed dominance of Hispanic arrivals in the immigrant population.
Despite these broader trends, immigration from Pakistan has continued to grow steadily, reflecting the country’s emerging role as a significant contributor to the diverse U.S. immigrant population.
Legal Status of Immigrants
Most immigrants in the U.S. (77%) are in the country legally, as of 2022:
• Naturalized Citizens: 49%
• Lawful Permanent Residents: 24%
• Legal Temporary Residents: 4%
• Unauthorized Immigrants: 23%
Unauthorized immigration peaked at 12.2 million in 2007, declining to 10.2 million by 2019. However, the population grew again to 11 million in 2022. Mexicans represent the largest share of unauthorized immigrants (4 million), although their numbers have significantly declined from a 2007 peak. Growth among unauthorized immigrants has been notable from Asia and other parts of Latin America.
Conclusion
The U.S. immigrant population continues to reflect evolving global dynamics and legislative impacts. From the origins of its immigrants to their legal status, the landscape of immigration paints a complex picture of change, resilience, and diversity that shapes the nation.
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