Immigration articles
Where do foreign students attend school?
As of June 2025, 151,015 international students were studying in California, most of any state. This number reflects those who hold F-1 or M-1 student visas and maintain active student status.
How many illegal crossings are attempted at the US-Mexico border each month?
About 10K attempted crossings were detected in May 2026, 14.6% more than May 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.
Border crossings into the US from Canada declined in 2025
The number of people crossing into the US from Canada by land has declined overall since 1996.
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 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 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 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-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 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.