U.S. Immigration Policy Program
The U.S. Immigration Policy Program provides thought leadership on ways to improve the U.S. immigration system so that it works most effectively in the national interest. To that end, its work focuses on immigration pathways to the United States and immigration enforcement policies and their impacts. It examines the complex demographic, economic, social, political, foreign policy, and other forces that shape U.S. immigration.
Program staff produce data and analyses of immigration trends and the characteristics of U.S. immigrant populations, including unauthorized immigrants. And they conduct original research on the impacts of policy change and the experiences of immigrant populations in diverse parts of the country. This work is frequently informed by private convenings of policymakers and key stakeholders. For more, click here.
Featured
The Immigration Debate America Needs—and Is Not Having
Immigration is central to America’s economic future, yet debate fixates on border crises and policy failures instead of how a modern legal…
Trump Restrictions on Legal Immigration Could Sharply Reduce U.S. Population Growth
President Donald Trump's second-term curbs on legal immigration, spanning visas, refugees, and family reunification, could meaningfully slow U.S…
More Featured Work
Key Statistics
Learn more about immigrants and immigration to the United States
14.8%
The immigrant share of the total U.S. population
Learn how this share has evolved (opens in a new tab)50.2 million
The number of immigrants in the United States
Explore Data Profiles by State (opens in a new tab)18.4%
The share of workers in the U.S. civilian labor force who are immigrants
Get the data at U.S. and state levels (opens in a new tab)
- General Inquiries
- Media Inquiries
-
Michelle Mittelstadt
202 266 1910 [email protected]
Showing 31–40 of 819 results
Seeking to Ramp Up Deportations, the Trump Administration Quietly Expands a Vast Web of Data
The Trump administration is building an unprecedented data network for immigration enforcement—tapping sensitive tax, health, and benefits records—raising privacy concerns for immigrants and citizens alike.
Facing New Migration Realities: U.S.-Mexico Relations and Shared Interests
U.S.-Mexico cooperation reduced unauthorized migration from 2020 to 2024; lasting progress hinges on legal pathways, regional engagement, and border infrastructure.
Repealing Birthright Citizenship Would Significantly Increase the Size of the U.S. Unauthorized Population
Repealing birthright citizenship for babies born on U.S. soil to unauthorized immigrants or temporary visa holders would have a contrary result from its stated aim of reducing the unauthorized immigrant population. Projections from MPI and Penn State show that ending birthright citizenship would increase the unauthorized population by 2.7 million as of 2045 and by 5.4 million as of 2075.
Immigration Actions in First 100 Days of Trump Second Term
Analysts assessed the most consequential immigration actions taken during the first 100 days of President Trump's second term, detailed the litigation picture, and analyzed some of the early effects of policies on U.S. communities.
In First 100 Days, Trump 2.0 Has Dramatically Reshaped the U.S. Immigration System, but Is Not Meeting Mass Deportation Aims
President Donald Trump's second term has produced the most sweeping U.S. immigration changes since 9/11, but some deportation goals remain out of reach.
Tapping Ancient Wartime and Security Laws, Trump Administration Dramatically Expands Immigration Powers
The Trump administration is deploying centuries-old wartime laws, some of which have never been used for routine immigration enforcement, to expand detentions and deportations.
The Essential Role of Immigrants in the U.S. Food Supply Chain
About 2.1 million immigrants work in jobs growing, harvesting, processing, and selling food in the United States, serving an essential role in feeding America.
Trump Administration Bends U.S. Government in Extraordinary Ways towards Aim of Mass Deportations
The Trump administration has bent virtually every arm of the U.S. government toward mass deportations, but early results reveal a gap between ambition and available resources.
ICE Arrests and Deportations from the U.S. Interior
Learn how U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement works within the U.S. interior, identifying people for arrest, detention, and removal.
Arrestos y deportaciones de ICE desde el interior de Estados Unidos
Esta guía explicativa tiene respuestas a preguntas comunes sobre la función del Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas (ICE, por sus siglas en inglés) de EE. UU., en la identificación de personas para arresto, detención, y deportación.