The United States has more immigrants than any other country in the world. Today, more than 40 million people
living in the U.S. were born in another country, accounting for about one-fifth of the world's migrants. The
population of immigrants is also very diverse, with just about every country in the world represented among U.S.
immigrants.
Most immigrants (77%) are in the country legally, while almost a quarter are unauthorized. In 2017, 45% were
naturalized U.S. citizens. The decline in the unauthorized immigrant population is due largely to a fall in the number
from Mexico - the single largest group of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S.
Not all lawful permanent residents choose to pursue U.S. citizenship. Those who wish to do so may apply after
meeting certain requirements, including having lived in the U.S. for five years. Generally, most immigrants eligible
for naturalization apply to become citizens. However, Mexican lawful immigrants have the lowest naturalization rate
overall. Language and personal barriers, lack of interest and financial barriers are among the top reasons for
choosing not to naturalize Mexican-born green card holders.
Mexico, China and India are among top birthplaces for immigrants in the U.S. Mexico is the top origin country of the
U.S. immigrant population. In 2018, roughly 11.2 million immigrants living in the U.S. were from there, accounting
for 25% of all U.S. immigrants. The next largest origin groups were those from China (6%), India (6%), the Philippines
(4%) and El Salvador (3%). Among new immigrant arrivals, Asians outnumber Hispanics
More than 1 million immigrants arrive in the U.S. each year. In 2018, the top country of origin for new immigrants
coming into the U.S. was China, with 149,000 people, followed by India (129,000), Mexico (120,000) and the
Philippines (46,000). Asians are projected to become the largest immigrant group in the U.S. by 2055, surpassing
Hispanics.
U.S. foreign-born population reached 45 million in 2015, projected to reach 78 million by 2065
New immigrant arrivals have fallen, mainly due to a decrease in the number of unauthorized immigrants coming to
the U.S. The drop in the unauthorized immigrant population can primarily be attributed to more Mexican immigrants
leaving the U.S. than coming in.
Nearly half (45%) of the nation's immigrants live in just three states: California (24%), Texas (11%) and Florida (10%).
California had the largest immigrant population of any state in 2018, at 10.6 million. Texas, Florida and New York had
more than 4 million immigrants each.
In 2018, most immigrants lived in just 20 major metropolitan areas, with the largest populations in the New York, Los
Angeles and Miami metro areas.
Half of immigrants in U.S. are English proficient as of 2018. Among immigrants ages 5 and older in 2018, half (53%)
are proficient English speakers - either speaking English very well (37%) or only speaking English at home (17%).
Among immigrants ages 5 and older, Spanish is the most commonly spoken language. Some 42% of immigrants in
the U.S. speak Spanish at home. The top five languages spoken at home among immigrants outside of Spanish are
English only (17%), followed by Chinese (6%), Hindi (5%), Filipino/Tagalog (4%) and French (3%).
Around 337,000 immigrants were deported from the U.S. in fiscal 2018, up since 2017. Overall, the Obama
administration deported about 3 million immigrants between 2009 and 2016, a significantly higher number than the
2 million immigrants deported by the Bush administration between 2001 and 2008. In 2017, the Trump
administration deported 295,000 immigrants, the lowest total since 2006.
U.S. immigrants are seen more as a strength than a burden to the country
While immigration has been at the forefront of a national political debate, the U.S. public holds a range of views
about immigrants living in the country. Overall, a majority of Americans have positive views about immigrants. About
two-thirds of Americans (66%) say immigrants strengthen the country "because of their hard work and talents,"
while about a quarter (24%) say immigrants burden the country by taking jobs, housing and health care.
Edited from
https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/08/20/key-findings-about-u-s-immigrants/