United States

Spotlight on Legal Immigration to the United States

In 2005, 1.1 million people obtained lawful permanent residence in the United States; family reunification drove 58 percent of admissions, with Mexico the top country of birth.

Congressional Republicans Continue Field Hearings on Immigration, Introduce New Immigration Reform Proposal

In July 2006, U.S. senators introduced a bill allowing unauthorized immigrants to join a temporary worker program after certification of U.S. border security; 21 more House field hearings deepened the reform stalemate.

Detailed Characteristics of the Caribbean Born in the United States in 2000

In 2000, nearly 3 million Caribbean-born individuals made up 9.5 percent of U.S. foreign born; Cubans were the largest group.

Immigration Enforcement: Beyond the Border and the Workplace

Border policing alone cannot stop unauthorized immigration—effective enforcement requires layered interior strategies covering visa tracking, worksite screening, and removal.

Immigrants and Labor Force Trends: The Future, Past, and Present

Driving more than half of U.S. labor force growth as of 2005, immigrants were projected to fill nearly one in five jobs by 2030—especially in the fastest-growing occupations.

The Contributions of High-Skilled Immigrants

Evidence shows high-skilled immigrants, who are largely complementary to U.S.-born workers and are concentrated in medicine and STEM fields, raise productivity and create jobs for native workers.

Immigrants' Costs and Contributions: The Effects of Reform

Congressional Negotiations Stall while Bush Administration Pushes Enforcement, Integration

With House-Senate negotiations on immigration reform pushed to September 2006 at earliest, the Bush administration ramped up border and workplace enforcement as a stopgap.

Family Obligation Among Children in Immigrant Families

Among immigrant youth, a strong sense of family obligation supports well-being and academic drive but can delay college completion when family finances are limited.

The People Perceived as a Threat to Security: Arab Americans Since September 11

Post-9/11 U.S. security policies brought expanded surveillance and deportations for Arab Americans.