Immigration articles
How many immigrants are in the US?
There were 50.2 million immigrants in the United States in 2024. This represents approximately 14.8% of the population, or about 1 in 7 residents in the United States. Immigrants are defined as foreign-born residents, which includes people who became US citizens, are authorized to come to the US (e.g., on work visas, student visas), or are undocumented residents.
Just the Facts about US immigration
Immigration has been the main driver of US population growth for three years in a row. In this episode, Steve covers the green cards the US has issued recently, how the government defines “unauthorized immigrants,” how many people overstay visas, and more.
How many people apprehended at US borders have a prior criminal conviction?
About 17,000 people apprehended at US borders had a prior criminal conviction in fiscal year (FY) 2024. The criminal arrests of people who are not US citizens — referred to as aliens in federal law — represents 1.1% of all border apprehensions by the US Border Patrol (USBP) through September 2024, the end of the federal fiscal year.
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.
What is a I visa?
The I visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued for work. Nonimmigrant visas are admitted for people who intend to stay in the US temporarily. I visas accounted for 0.12% of all issued visas in FY 2024.
What is a B1/B2 visa?
The B1/B2 visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued for tourism and business. Nonimmigrant visas are admitted for people who intend to stay in the US temporarily. B1/B2 visas accounted for 59.2% 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 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 A-2 visa?
The A-2 visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued for work. Nonimmigrant visas are admitted for people who intend to stay in the US temporarily. A-2 visas accounted for 0.88% of all issued visas in FY 2024.
What is a P-1 visa?
The P-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued for work. Nonimmigrant visas are admitted for people who intend to stay in the US temporarily. P-1 visas accounted for 0.22% of all issued visas in FY 2024.
What is a B-2 visa?
The B-2 visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued for tourism and business. Nonimmigrant visas are admitted for people who intend to stay in the US temporarily. B-2 visas accounted for 0.11% of all issued visas in FY 2024.
What is a C-1 visa?
The C-1 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 visas accounted for 0.1% 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 visa?
A visa is an official document the federal government issues to allow a foreign national to travel to a port of entry and request permission to enter for a specific purpose. While a visa does not guarantee entry, it indicates that the person has met the requirements for the type of visit they are requesting.
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 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 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 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 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.
What is a H-2B visa?
The H-2B visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued for work. Nonimmigrant visas are admitted for people who intend to stay in the US temporarily. H-2B visas accounted for 1.3% of all issued visas in FY 2024.