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United States

United States

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Historically a nation of immigrants, the United States is home to nearly 45 million immigrants, who represent 13.7 percent of the total population and play a key role in the economic, civic, and cultural life of the country. The research collected here covers many facets of immigration to the United States, by the numbers and how immigrants fare in the country's classrooms and workplaces, the policies and regulations that shape the admission of new immigrants, the enforcement programs and polices in place at U.S. borders and within the interior, and integration policies and efforts taking place in local communities, in states, and at the federal level.

A naturalization ceremony at the White House.
Articles

Frequently Requested Statistics on Immigrants and Immigration in the United States

Immigration touches on many facets of life in the United States. Get the facts with this useful resource, which compiles in one place answers to some of the most often-asked questions about immigration and immigrants in the United States now and historically. This article contains essential data on the immigrant population, immigration levels, trends in immigration enforcement, and much more.

A man in a high-visibility jacket and gloves at work
Policy Briefs

A New Way Forward for Employment-Based Immigration: The Bridge Visa

U.S. employment-based visa policies, last updated in 1990, are not aligned with the country’s current and future labor market needs. This policy brief outlines MPI’s proposal for a new visa pathway that could help the United States better leverage immigration to meet its labor market needs, boost protections for both U.S.- and foreign-born workers, and flexibly adapt to future economic and demographic changes.

Inadmissible migrants, some seeking asylum, are processed by CBP officers
Reports

Outmatched: The U.S. Asylum System Faces Record Demands

The U.S. humanitarian protection system, known for its long history of assisting those in need, has come under incredible pressure in recent years. The asylum adjudications system, which is under-resourced, is struggling to keep up with record asylum seeker arrivals at the U.S.-Mexico border. This report examines the state of the asylum system, including changes under the Biden administration and potential lessons for other countries.

President Joe Biden signs an executive order.
Articles

Biden at the Three-Year Mark: The Most Active Immigration Presidency Yet Is Mired in Border Crisis Narrative

In three years, President Joe Biden has surpassed the number of immigration-focused executive actions taken by the Trump administration throughout its entire four-year term, making his the most active U.S. presidency ever on immigration. Yet the Biden administration has been repeatedly accused of inaction at the U.S.-Mexico border, where record levels of migrant encounters have occurred. This article reviews the Biden track record on immigration.

Recent Activity

Articles
July 22, 2010
Taiwanese Immigrants in the United States
By Serena Yi-Ying Lin
multimedia PotentialReformsRefResettlement
Multimedia
July 16, 2010
Potential Reforms to the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program
pb jul10 300
Articles
July 15, 2010
Focus Remains on Arizona as Justice Department Files Lawsuit against SB 1070
By Muzaffar Chishti, Claire Bergeron
cover DREAMvsReality
Policy Briefs
July 2010
DREAM vs. Reality: An Analysis of Potential DREAM Act Beneficiaries
By  Jeanne Batalova and Margie McHugh
Testimony MR June2010
Multimedia
June 30, 2010
Marc Rosenblum Testimony Video: Immigration and U.S. Immigration Policy
Articles
June 15, 2010
Political Considerations Surround Decision to Deploy National Guard to Southwest Border
By Muzaffar Chishti, Claire Bergeron
Multimedia
June 14, 2010
Migration and Occupational Health: Shining a Light on the Problem
spot jun10 300
Articles
June 9, 2010
Indian Immigrants in the United States
By Aaron Terrazas, Cristina Batog

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Policy Beat
October 1, 2002
Court Challenges Secrecy in Post-Sept. 11 Deportation Proceedings
Court Rules Secret Deportation Hearings Unconstitutional... Major Changes to Board of Immigration Appeals... New LPRs Break One Million Mark... U.S., Canada Agree to Final Draft of Safe Third Country Agreement... Refugee Admissions Fall Below Target... President Signs Child Status Protection Act...
Policy Beat
September 1, 2002
Head of INS Submits Resignation
INS Commissioner to Resign... Requirement for Change of Address Notification... Social Security Changes Affecting Immigrants... H-1B Numbers Reflect Slowing Economy... Identifying Detainees Delayed...
Feature
September 1, 2002
Education May Boost Fortunes of Second-Generation Latino Immigrants
As the U.S.-born children of Latino immigrants reach adulthood, new data suggest that they will fare better than their immigrant peers. Richard Fry, Senior Research Associate at the Pew Hispanic Center, explains why.
Feature
August 1, 2002
Immigration and Security Post-Sept. 11
Resolving complex legal, social, and security issues after Sept. 11 will not be easy. But what does immigration have to do with it? Muzaffar Chishti, MPI Senior Policy Analyst, explains.
Spotlight
August 1, 2002
Immigrants and Welfare Use

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.

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Recent Activity

Articles
July 22, 2010

Taiwanese Immigrants in the United States

Over three-quarters of Taiwanese immigrants own their home, and almost as many hold a bachelor's degree or higher. MPI's Serena Yi-Ying Lin examines the population's size, geographic distribution, and socioeconomic characteristics.

Video, Audio
July 16, 2010

Potential Reforms to the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program

This discussion is an overview of a report undertaken by a team at the Columbia University School of International Public Affairs which examines the U.S. refugee resettlement Program and offers a strong set of recommendations and observations about the program.

Articles
July 15, 2010

Focus Remains on Arizona as Justice Department Files Lawsuit against SB 1070

MPI's Muzaffar Chishti and Claire Bergeron report on the Justice Department's suit against Arizona's newest immigration law and the Supreme Court's decision to hear a case challenging the 2007 Legal Arizona Workers Act. Also in this edition: Haitian nationals get more time to file for Temporary Protected Status, the House approves $701 million for border security measures, Tennessee enacts an immigration enforcement bill, and more.
Policy Briefs
July 2010

DREAM vs. Reality: An Analysis of Potential DREAM Act Beneficiaries

Slightly more than 2.1 million unauthorized immigrant youth and young adults could be eligible to apply for legal status under the 2010 DREAM Act, though historical trends indicate that perhaps fewer than 40 percent would obtain legal status because of a variety of limitations. This policy brief offers detailed estimates of potential DREAM Act beneficiaries.

Video
June 30, 2010

Marc Rosenblum Testimony Video: Immigration and U.S. Immigration Policy

Testimony of Marc Rosenblum, MPI Senior Policy Analyst, before the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform.
Articles
June 15, 2010

Political Considerations Surround Decision to Deploy National Guard to Southwest Border

MPI's Muzaffar Chishti and Claire Bergeron report on President Barack Obama's decision to send 1,200 National Guard troops to the Southwest border, the continued debate over Arizona's immigration law, the State Department's 2010 trafficking report, increased U.S. immigration application fees and more.

Audio
June 14, 2010

Migration and Occupational Health: Shining a Light on the Problem

This briefing focuses on migrants higher rates of on-the-job injuries.

Articles
June 9, 2010

Indian Immigrants in the United States

The 1.6 million Indian immigrants in the United States are the country's third-largest immigrant group and one of its best educated and fastest growing during the 2000s. MPI's Aaron Terrazas and Cristina Batog use the latest federal data to explore the population's size, geographic distribution, and socioeconomic characteristics.

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