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.
The Latest Research
U.S. Deportations and “Self-Deportations” in the First 18 Months of the Second Trump Term
Filling a gap amid a slowdown in official data reporting from the federal government, this analysis offers a window into deportation and "self…
Featured
Physicians in an Era of Changing Immigration Policy: The Case of Nephrology
The care of kidney disease in the United States relies heavily on international medical graduates (IMGs). Recent policy changes could deepen…
Temporary Visa Holders in the United States
The number of U.S. temporary visas plummeted during the COVID-19 pandemic, rebounded, and then fell again in fiscal year (FY) 2025. Preliminary data…
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…
More Featured Work
From Counterterrorism to Immigration Enforcement: 25 Years On, Post-9/11 U.S. Changes Have Been Repointed
Post-9/11 national security tools have been repurposed for immigration, expanding the U.S. government’s capacity for surveillance, data sharing, and…
Attacked as "De Facto Amnesty," U.S. Temporary Protected Status Is Abruptly Eroded
The Trump administration moved to terminate most of the 17 Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations in place when its second term began,…
Though Rare, Birth Tourism to the United States Sparks Outsized Concern
While rare, birth tourism has become a central but contested justification in the Trump administration's push to end the guarantee of birthright…
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 761–770 of 824 results
Twilight Statuses: A Closer Examination of the Unauthorized Population
Up to 1.5 million unauthorized immigrants held legally recognized “twilight" statuses as of 2005, conferring some protection from deportation but no pathway to permanence.
Unauthorized Migrants: Numbers and Characteristics
This report examines the characteristics and demographics of the unauthorized immigrant population in the United States as of 2004.
Expansive Bipartisan Bill Introduced on the Heels of REAL ID Passage
The 2005 Kennedy-McCain bill in the U.S. Senate proposed 400,000 new low-skilled worker visas, a legalization path for unauthorized immigrants, and family reunification reforms.
One Face at The Border: Behind the Slogan
The One Face at the Border unified border management initiative in the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has delivered efficiency gains but has fallen short operationally.
Real Challenges for Virtual Borders: The Implementation of US-VISIT
US-VISIT's border security and counterterrorism goals exceed what the program can deliver. Policymakers should consider scaling back expectations and make more effective investments.
U.S. Commits to New Passport Requirements and Beefed-Up Border
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, announced April 2005, would require passports for all travel to the United States from the Americas and Caribbean by end of 2007.
Revisiting the Need for Appointed Counsel
Lack of appointed counsel for noncitizens in deportation proceedings harms case outcomes. This policy brief examines three low-cost models to expand legal representation.
President Reiterates Commitment to Immigration Reform at Summit Meeting
At a March 2005 summit, President George W. Bush reaffirmed his guest-worker proposal while Congress debated restructuring immigration enforcement agencies.
Presidential Budget, State of the Union Address Immigration Issues
President George W. Bush proposed major immigration enforcement increases in his FY 2006 budget.
Supreme Court Addresses Deportation Cases, DHS Undergoes Leadership and Oversight Changes
Two January 2005 U.S. Supreme Court rulings reshaped deportation law.
- General Inquiries
- Media Inquiries
-
Michelle Mittelstadt
202 266 1910 [email protected]