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
Following Years of High Border Arrivals, the U.S. Unauthorized Immigrant Population Hits New Peak
MPI estimates the U.S. unauthorized immigrant population reached a new peak of 15.8 million as of mid-2024, after holding steady at around 11 million…
In Its Second Term, Trump Administration Quietly Expands Family Separation
Immigration enforcement during the second Trump term is driving a quieter, more diffuse wave of family separations inside the United States, often…
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…
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)
Showing 501–510 of 821 results
The Deportation Story: Deporter-in-Chief, Releaser-in-Chief, or Reformer-in-Chief?
The release of MPI's report, examining the U.S. deportation system with analysis on migrant apprehensions, removals, and criminal prosecutions, includes discussion on the evolution of the deportation system over the past two decades and some of the leading policy options circulating as the executive branch undertakes a policy review.
The Current Record on Deportations: What Underlies the "Eye of the Beholder" Dynamic?
A transformed enforcement system under the Obama administration has produced record deportation levels while also drawing criticism it is too lenient.
The Deportation Dilemma: Reconciling Tough and Humane Enforcement
U.S. deportation policy has generated more than 4.5 million removals since 1996, but humane enforcement and stricter immigration control remain fundamentally in tension.
Hazleton Immigration Ordinance That Began With a Bang Goes Out With a Whimper
In a decision that received little notice, the Supreme Court in mid-March declined to review federal appellate decisions that struck down controversial local immigration ordinances in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, and Farmers Branch, Texas—bringing to a close a contentious chapter in immigration litigation. This article also explores President Obama’s decision to order a review of deportation policies, Chile’s admission into the Visa Waiver Program, and more.
Children on the Run: An Analysis of First-Hand Accounts from Children Fleeing Central America
This event with UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres includes a discussion on the state of citizen security in Central America and the resulting humanitarian impact, featuring findings from Children on the Run, a UNHCR report based on interviews with more than 400 unaccompanied children from the region.
A Treacherous Journey: Child Migrants Navigating the U.S. Immigration System
Panelists from the Center for Gender & Refugee Studies and Kids in Need of Defense discuss their findings regarding how unaccompanied children are processed through the U.S. immigration system, along with recommendations for improvements in the process to ensure the protection of these minors.
A Transatlantic Conversation: Managing Migration in the Era of Mobility
As the 2014 Greek Presidency of the Council of the European Union works to formulate the European Union’s next five-year program, this transatlantic discussion, presented in cooperation with the Greek Embassy, explores how governments can build a comprehensive migration system that meets humanitarian obligations and nurtures economic growth and social cohesion.
Republican Congressional Leaders Shelve Immigration Reform for 2014
House Republicans' January 2014 immigration principles marked a significant policy shift, but major reform was shelved before it even began.
Managing Borders in North America: Charting the Future
Showcasing MPI’s volume, Managing Borders in an Increasingly Borderless World, this panel discussion offers perspectives on border policy management from leading officials in the United States, Canadian, and Mexican governments
U.S. Immigration Reform Didn't Happen in 2013; Will 2014 Be the Year?
The U.S. Senate passed sweeping immigration reform in June 2013, but House inaction means 2014 is the last window before the legislative clock resets.
- General Inquiries
- Media Inquiries
-
Michelle Mittelstadt
202 266 1910 [email protected]