Immigrants make up a sizeable proportion of the population of the United States. New figures point to growth in the immigrant population to more than 42.2 million by 2014, comprising more than 13 percent of the overall population.
Statistics from the United States Census Bureau were contained in a recent report by the Migration Policy Institute. The most recent figures available about immigration found that from 2013 to 2014, the overseas-born population of the United States increased by 1 million or 2.5 percent.
When the US-born children of immigrants are factored into the equation, the growth number rises to 81 million people or 26 percent of the overall U.S. population.
The 1.3 million foreign-born individuals who arrived in the United States in 2014 was an increase from 1.2 million in 2013. Although immigration from Mexico and Central America is constantly in the headlines, India was the leading country of origin for new immigrants, with 147,500 arriving from the Asian country in 2014, followed by China with 131,800 arrivals, Mexico with 130,000, Canada with 41,200 immigrants, and the Philippines with 40,500.
The Census Bureau defines immigrants as people born outside the United States, who resided abroad one year earlier, including undocumented immigrants, lawful permanent residents, and temporary nonimmigrants.
How Many Immigrants Obtained Green Cards?
Census-derived data revealed 1,016,518 immigrants became lawful permanent residents in 2014. The number of new lawful permanent residents increased by 3 percent in 2014, although it remained lower than 2012 levels. Just over 40 percent were immediate relatives of U.S. citizens. New arrivals made up about 47 percent (481,392) of those who received green cards in 2014. The others were status adjusters who were already living in the United States. Their green-card applications were approved in 2014.
There are a number of different routes to apply for a green card which our Texas permanent residency lawyers explain here.
A report released last year by the Pew Research Center said immigrants and their children will be the ones who are driving U.S. population growth over the next 50 years, transforming America into a country in which no ethnic group is in the majority.
Although Mexicans are often cited in the ongoing immigration debate, they will not make up the largest immigrant group in the future.
By the year 2055, there are projected to be more Asian immigrants living in the United States than Hispanic immigrants – 36 percent compared to 34 percent.
Our Austin immigration attorneys can cite many success stories about how we have helped people settle in the United States. Call us at (512) 399-2311 for assistance.