E.g., 06/09/2024
E.g., 06/09/2024
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
August 1, 2003
Government Widens Efforts to Scrutinize Foreign Visitors
By Maia Jachimowicz
Articles
August 1, 2003
Security at U.S. Borders: A Move Away from Unilateralism?
By Deborah Meyers
Articles
August 1, 2003
African-born Residents of the United States in 2000
By Jill Wilson
Articles
July 1, 2003
Report Alleges Abuse of Immigrant Detainees Post-Sept. 11
By Maia Jachimowicz
cover smartersafer
Policy Briefs
June 2003
Does 'Smarter' Lead to Safer? An Assessment of the Border Accords with Canada and Mexico
By  Deborah W. Meyers
Articles
June 1, 2003
Comprehensive Visitor Tracking Program Moves Forward
By Maia Jachimowicz
Articles
June 1, 2003
Remittances from the United States in Context
By Kevin O'Neil
Articles
June 1, 2003
Skilled Migration Abroad or Human Capital Flight?
By B. Lindsay Lowell

Pages

Recent Activity

Articles
August 1, 2003

African-born Residents of the United States in 2000

MPI’s Jill Wilson provides an in-depth look at the United States’ population of people born in Africa.

Articles
August 1, 2003

Security at U.S. Borders: A Move Away from Unilateralism?

MPI Policy Analyst Deborah Waller Meyers examines the Smart Border agreements signed by the U.S. with Canada and Mexico in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks.
Articles
August 1, 2003

Government Widens Efforts to Scrutinize Foreign Visitors

State Dept. Tightens Rules on Visa Applicant Interviews... Agreements With Chile, Singapore Open Door to Trade in Services... DHS Fully Implements Foreign Student Tracking System... TPS Extended for Montserratians, Salvadorans, Somalians... DHS Expands Efforts to Deport ‘Predatory’ Criminal Aliens...
Articles
July 1, 2003

Report Alleges Abuse of Immigrant Detainees Post-Sept. 11

Justice Dept. Report Cites Abuse of Detainees After Sept. 11... Court Approves Ongoing Secrecy on Post-Sept. 11 Detainees' Names... Hispanics Become Largest Minority in the United States... Post-Sept. 11 Economic Woes Squeeze H-1B Visa Program...
Articles
June 1, 2003

Comprehensive Visitor Tracking Program Moves Forward

New Tracking System Will Photograph, Fingerprint Visa Holders... Somali Bantu Refugees Resettled to the U.S.... Deadline Nears for LIFE Act Permanent Residency Applications... Temporary Protected Status Extended for Hondurans, Nicaraguans... ICE Slated for Reorganization...
Articles
June 1, 2003

Skilled Migration Abroad or Human Capital Flight?

B. Lindsay Lowell of Georgetown University sketches the big picture of skilled migration, touching on both negative impacts and positive feedback for developing states.

Articles
June 1, 2003

Remittances from the United States in Context

MPI Research Assistant Kevin O'Neil outlines key aspects of remittances from the United States.
Policy Briefs
June 2003

Does 'Smarter' Lead to Safer? An Assessment of the Border Accords with Canada and Mexico

The events that unfolded in the U.S. on September 11 generated a renewed sense of urgency over border management. Bilateral Smart Border agreements were reached between the U.S. and Canada as well as the U.S. and Mexico in December 2001 and March 2002. This report tracks the implementation of these border accords and seeks to evaluate their effectiveness.

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