Immigration articles
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.
How many illegal crossings are attempted at the US-Mexico border each month?
About 8.3K attempted crossings were detected in March 2026, 15.2% more than March 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.
What does the Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) do?
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is a subdivision of the Department of Homeland Security responsible for overseeing lawful immigration to the United States. The agency administers the nation's naturalization and immigration system, processes applications for citizenship, and manages the issuance of various immigration benefits. It also ensures the integrity of the immigration system by preventing fraud and enhancing security measures. It was established in 2003.
What does the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) do?
The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a subdivision of the US Department of Homeland Security responsible for safeguarding the nation's borders and facilitating lawful international trade and travel. The agency enforces immigration laws, prevents the illegal entry of goods and individuals, and ensures the security of the US border. It also works to prevent the trafficking of drugs, weapons, and other contraband. It was established in 2003.
What does the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) do?
The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is a subdivision of the US Department of Homeland Security responsible for enforcing immigration laws, investigating criminal activities, and ensuring national security. ICE conducts investigations, detains and deports individuals who violate immigration laws, and works to dismantle criminal organizations involved in human trafficking, drug smuggling, and other illegal activities. It was established in 2003.
How many DACA recipients are there?
About 505,900 people at the end of September 2025 — about the same as the population of Killeen-Temple, TX Metro Area. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a program created in 2012 for people who came to the US as children and who do not have legal immigration status. People accepted into DACA and who maintain active status with the program are protected from deportation and are allowed to apply for work authorization, but do not receive legal immigration status or have a path to citizenship.
How many refugees come to the US?
About 11,511 refugees came to the US in 2025. That’s 89% fewer than the prior year.
How many immigrants are in the US?
About 50.2 million 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.
How many people apprehended at US borders have a prior criminal conviction?
About 17,000 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. Because one person may be arrested multiple times in the same fiscal year, it’s possible to have more arrests than people arrested.
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.
How many people does ICE arrest?
149,070 arrests by the two operational branches of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in fiscal year (FY) 2024. That includes 113,430 administrative arrests (76.1% of total arrests) conducted by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), as well as criminal arrests: 3,032 by ERO and 32,608 by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the transnational criminal investigative division of ICE.
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 people are being detained by ICE?
70,805 people as of the end of December, according to the agency. That’s a 73.5% increase from the same period a year prior.
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.
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 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 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 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.
What is a BBBCV visa?
The BBBCV visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued for tourism and business. Nonimmigrant visas are admitted for people who intend to stay in the US temporarily. BBBCV visas accounted for 0.36% 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 F-1 visa?
The F-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued for student purposes. Nonimmigrant visas are admitted for people who intend to stay in the US temporarily. F-1 visas accounted for 3.7% of all issued visas in FY 2024.
What is a B-1 visa?
The B-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. B-1 visas accounted for 0.29% 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-4 visa?
The G-4 visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued for work. Nonimmigrant visas are admitted for people who intend to stay in the US temporarily. G-4 visas accounted for 0.2% of all issued visas in FY 2024.
What is a BBBCC visa?
The BBBCC visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued for tourism and business. Nonimmigrant visas are admitted for people who intend to stay in the US temporarily. BBBCC visas accounted for 17.1% 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.
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 TN visa?
The TN visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued for work. Nonimmigrant visas are admitted for people who intend to stay in the US temporarily. TN visas accounted for 0.14% of all issued visas in FY 2024.