Immigration by the Numbers

The topic of immigration is consistently in the headlines nowadays. A 2018 Pew Research study helps put this news coverage in perspective.

The study notes, unsurprisingly, that the U.S. has more immigrants that any other country in the world. And while the U.S. public holds a range of views about immigrants living in the country, the study says, “Overall, a majority of Americans have positive views about immigrants.” Sixty-five percent say immigrants strengthen the country because of their hard work and talents.

As a longtime supporter Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services of New Haven as well as adult education programs and Literacy Volunteers chapters that teach English as a second language, we offer these facts of interest:

• Most immigrants (76%) are in the country legally.
• Lawful immigrants (about 70%) make up the majority of the immigrant workforce.
• In 2017, almost 1 million immigrants applied for naturalization (citizenship), and generally those who were eligible become citizens.
• In 2016, the top country of origin for new immigrants coming into the U.S. was India, with 126,000 people, followed by Mexico, China, and Cuba.
• In 2017, the largest portion of resettled refugees hailed from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, followed by Iraq, Syria, Somalia, and Myanmar.
• By race and ethnicity, more Asian immigrants than Hispanic immigrants have arrived in the U.S. each year since 2010.
• Immigrants from South and East Asia (52%) and the Middle East (47%) had earned bachelor’s degrees or more (as compared to 32% of all U.S.-born citizens).
• Among immigrants ages 5 and older, 51% are proficient English speakers.

Thanks to all our grantees who carry on this American tradition by helping legal immigrants find their way to an integrated and successful new life in the United States.