The estimated population of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. stands at around ** million people. Although the number has stabilized, the United States has seen a spike in migrant encounters in the last few years, with over * million cases registered by the U.S. Border Patrol in 2023. This is a slight decrease from the previous year, when there were over *** million cases registered. Due to its proximity and shared border, Mexico remains the leading country of origin for most undocumented immigrants in the U.S., with California and Texas being home to the majority.

Immigration and political division

Despite the majority of the population having immigrant roots, the topic of immigration in the U.S. remains one of the country’s longest-standing political debates. Support among Republicans for restrictive immigration has grown alongside Democratic support for open immigration. This growing divide has deepened the polarization between the two major political parties, stifling constructive dialogue and impeding meaningful reform efforts and as a result, has led to dissatisfaction from all sides. In addition to general immigration policy, feelings toward illegal immigration in the U.S. also vary widely. For some, it's seen as a significant threat to national security, cultural identity, and economic stability. This perspective often aligns with support for stringent measures like Trump's proposed border wall and increased enforcement efforts. On the other hand, there are those who are more sympathetic toward undocumented immigrants, as demonstrated by support for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

During the fiscal year of 2024, 100,034 refugees were admitted to the United States. This is a significant increase from the fiscal year of 2023, when 60,014 refugees were admitted into the United States.

United States Immigrants Admitted: All Countries data was reported at 1,127,167.000 Person in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1,183,505.000 Person for 2016. United States Immigrants Admitted: All Countries data is updated yearly, averaging 451,510.000 Person from Sep 1900 (Median) to 2017, with 118 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,827,167.000 Person in 1991 and a record low of 23,068.000 Person in 1933. United States Immigrants Admitted: All Countries data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Department of Homeland Security. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G087: Immigration.

United States US: Net Migration data was reported at 4,500,000.000 Person in 2017. This stayed constant from the previous number of 4,500,000.000 Person for 2012. United States US: Net Migration data is updated yearly, averaging 4,213,405.500 Person from Dec 1962 (Median) to 2017, with 12 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8,612,074.000 Person in 1997 and a record low of 1,549,465.000 Person in 1967. United States US: Net Migration data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Net migration is the net total of migrants during the period, that is, the total number of immigrants less the annual number of emigrants, including both citizens and noncitizens. Data are five-year estimates.; ; United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Sum;

United States Immigrants Admitted: Mexico data was reported at 170,581.000 Person in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 174,534.000 Person for 2016. United States Immigrants Admitted: Mexico data is updated yearly, averaging 153,629.500 Person from Sep 1986 (Median) to 2017, with 32 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 946,167.000 Person in 1991 and a record low of 66,533.000 Person in 1986. United States Immigrants Admitted: Mexico data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Department of Homeland Security. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.G087: Immigration.

In July 2024, the United States accepted 34 refugees from Ukraine. In fiscal year 2022 - which ended September 30, 2022 - the U.S. accepted a total of 1,610 Ukrainian refugees. The most Ukrainian refugees arrived in February 2022, the same month that Ukraine was invaded by Russia.In April 2022, the United States committed itself to welcoming 100,000 Ukrainian citizens and others fleeing Russian aggression in the region, but has so far only accepted 2,402 since the Russian invasion in February last year.

In 2022, about **** million illegal aliens were apprehended in the United States. This was a significant increase from the previous year, when there were around **** million illegal aliens apprehended nationwide. Apprehensions refer to Border Patrol apprehensions and ICE administrative arrests.

Graph and download economic data for Employment Level - Foreign Born (LNU02073395) from Jan 2007 to Jun 2025 about foreign, household survey, employment, and USA.

Net migration for the United States was 4774029.00000 People in January of 2017, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Net migration for the United States reached a record high of 8859954.00000 in January of 1997 and a record low of 1556054.00000 in January of 1967. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Net migration for the United States - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

United States Immigrants Admitted: South America data was reported at 79,076.000 Person in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 79,608.000 Person for 2016. United States Immigrants Admitted: South America data is updated yearly, averaging 72,183.000 Person from Sep 1986 (Median) to 2017, with 32 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 137,971.000 Person in 2006 and a record low of 41,007.000 Person in 1988. United States Immigrants Admitted: South America data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Department of Homeland Security. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.G087: Immigration.

United States Immigrants Admitted: Europe data was reported at 84,335.000 Person in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 93,567.000 Person for 2016. United States Immigrants Admitted: Europe data is updated yearly, averaging 104,629.000 Person from Sep 1986 (Median) to 2017, with 32 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 165,507.000 Person in 2001 and a record low of 61,174.000 Person in 1987. United States Immigrants Admitted: Europe data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Department of Homeland Security. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.G087: Immigration.

Immigrants Admitted: Philippines data was reported at 53,287.000 Person in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 56,478.000 Person for 2015. Immigrants Admitted: Philippines data is updated yearly, averaging 54,446.000 Person from Sep 1986 (Median) to 2016, with 31 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 74,606.000 Person in 2006 and a record low of 30,943.000 Person in 1999. Immigrants Admitted: Philippines data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Department of Homeland Security. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.G086: Immigration.

This data collection contains information on the characteristics of aliens who became legal permanent residents of the United States in fiscal year 1991 (October 1990 through September 1991). Data are presented for two types of immigrants. The first category, New Arrivals, arrived from outside the United States with valid immigrant visas issued by the United States Department of State. Those in the second category, Adjustments, were already in the United States with temporary status and were adjusted to legal permanent residence through petition to the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service. Variables include port of entry, month and year of admission, class of admission, and state and area to which immigrants were admitted. Demographic information such as age, sex, marital status, occupation, country of birth, country of last permanent residence, and nationality is also provided.

United States Immigrants Admitted: United Kingdom data was reported at 10,948.000 Person in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 12,673.000 Person for 2016. United States Immigrants Admitted: United Kingdom data is updated yearly, averaging 13,552.000 Person from Sep 1986 (Median) to 2017, with 32 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 19,973.000 Person in 1992 and a record low of 7,647.000 Person in 1999. United States Immigrants Admitted: United Kingdom data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Department of Homeland Security. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.G087: Immigration.

In January 2022, it was estimated that about 1.85 million male illegal immigrants living in the United States were aged between 35 and 44 years old. In that same year, it was estimated that 1.52 million female illegal immigrants living in the U.S. were between 35 and 44 years old.

United States Immigrants Admitted: Russia data was reported at 9,297.000 Person in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 8,799.000 Person for 2015. United States Immigrants Admitted: Russia data is updated yearly, averaging 12,079.000 Person from Sep 1992 (Median) to 2016, with 25 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 20,771.000 Person in 2002 and a record low of 6,718.000 Person in 2010. United States Immigrants Admitted: Russia data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Department of Homeland Security. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.G086: Immigration.

United States Immigrants Admitted: Japan data was reported at 4,635.000 Person in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 5,207.000 Person for 2016. United States Immigrants Admitted: Japan data is updated yearly, averaging 5,989.000 Person from Sep 1986 (Median) to 2017, with 32 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11,028.000 Person in 1992 and a record low of 3,959.000 Person in 1986. United States Immigrants Admitted: Japan data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Department of Homeland Security. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G087: Immigration.

Graph and download economic data for Population Level - Foreign Born (LNU00073395) from Jan 2007 to Jun 2025 about foreign, civilian, population, and USA.

United States Immigrants Admitted: Taiwan data was reported at 4,858.000 Person in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 5,120.000 Person for 2016. United States Immigrants Admitted: Taiwan data is updated yearly, averaging 9,012.000 Person from Sep 1986 (Median) to 2017, with 32 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 16,344.000 Person in 1992 and a record low of 4,697.000 Person in 2014. United States Immigrants Admitted: Taiwan data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Department of Homeland Security. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G087: Immigration.