Immigration articles
How many illegal crossings are attempted at the US-Mexico border each month?
About 6.1K attempted crossings were detected in January 2026, 79.1% fewer than January 2025. These attempted crossings, sometimes referred to as “encounters,” are instances when the US Border Patrol (USBP) apprehended or expelled someone attempting to illegally cross into the US between official ports of entry. This number does not necessarily represent individual people, as one person may be counted several times if they make multiple attempts to cross the border.
How many immigrants get green cards every year?
The US issued 1.17 million green cards during fiscal year (FY) 2023, 15.2% more than the previous year. That’s the number of people who became lawful permanent residents (LPR) of the U.S., commonly known as green card holders. Green cards grant immigrants the right to live and work permanently in the US with a path toward citizenship. The total includes individuals who obtained green cards through family sponsorship, employment, refugee or asylum status, and other avenues.
What is a K-4 visa?
The K-4 visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued for family purposes. Nonimmigrant visas are admitted for people who intend to stay in the US temporarily. No data was released on how many K-4 visas were issued in fiscal year 2024.
What is a T-1 visa?
The T-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued for safety. Nonimmigrant visas are admitted for people who intend to stay in the US temporarily. No data was released on how many T-1 visas were issued in fiscal year 2024.
What is a S-6 visa?
The S-6 visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued for safety. Nonimmigrant visas are admitted for people who intend to stay in the US temporarily. No data was released on how many S-6 visas were issued in fiscal year 2024.
What is a M-3 visa?
The M-3 visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued for tourism and business. Nonimmigrant visas are admitted for people who intend to stay in the US temporarily. No data was released on how many M-3 visas were issued in fiscal year 2024.
What is a K-1 visa?
The K-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued for family. Nonimmigrant visas are admitted for people who intend to stay in the US temporarily. K-1 visas accounted for 0.43% of all issued visas in FY 2024.
What is a E-2 visa?
The E-2 visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued for work. Nonimmigrant visas are admitted for people who intend to stay in the US temporarily. E-2 visas accounted for 0.5% of all issued visas in FY 2024.
Why are unauthorized immigrants allowed to enter the US?
Does someone have to be an American citizen to live in the US? Not necessarily; millions of noncitizens live here legally as permanent residents, visa holders, and refugees.According to the latest available data, an estimated 11 million unauthorized immigrants were living in the United States as of 2022 — roughly the population of Georgia in 2025.
What is a TD visa?
The TD visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued for family purposes. Nonimmigrant visas are admitted for people who intend to stay in the US temporarily. TD visas accounted for 0.11% of all issued visas in FY 2024.
What is a C-1/D visa?
The C-1/D visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued for tourism and business. Nonimmigrant visas are admitted for people who intend to stay in the US temporarily. C-1/D visas accounted for 3% of all issued visas in FY 2024.
What is a H-4 visa?
The H-4 visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued for family. Nonimmigrant visas are admitted for people who intend to stay in the US temporarily. H-4 visas accounted for 1.3% of all issued visas in FY 2024.
What is a H-2A visa?
The H-2A visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued for work. Nonimmigrant visas are admitted for people who intend to stay in the US temporarily. H-2A visas accounted for 2.9% of all issued visas in FY 2024.
What is a H-1B visa?
The H-1B visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued for work. Nonimmigrant visas are admitted for people who intend to stay in the US temporarily. H-1B visas accounted for 2% of all issued visas in FY 2024.
What is a F-2 visa?
The F-2 visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued for family. Immigrant visas are for people who intend to stay in the US permanently. F-2 visas accounted for 0.22% of all issued visas in FY 2024.
What is a O-1 visa?
The O-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued for work. Nonimmigrant visas are admitted for people who intend to stay in the US temporarily. O-1 visas accounted for 0.18% of all issued visas in FY 2024.
What is a J-2 visa?
The J-2 visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued for family. Nonimmigrant visas are admitted for people who intend to stay in the US temporarily. J-2 visas accounted for 0.3% of all issued visas in FY 2024.
What is a G-2 visa?
The G-2 visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued for work. Nonimmigrant visas are admitted for people who intend to stay in the US temporarily. G-2 visas accounted for 0.15% of all issued visas in FY 2024.
What is a L-2 visa?
The L-2 visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued for family. Nonimmigrant visas are admitted for people who intend to stay in the US temporarily. L-2 visas accounted for 0.67% of all issued visas in FY 2024.
What is a L-1 visa?
The L-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued for work. Nonimmigrant visas are admitted for people who intend to stay in the US temporarily. L-1 visas accounted for 0.65% of all issued visas in FY 2024.