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 771–780 of 824 results
Intelligence Reformed and Homeland Security Department Overhauled
The December 2004 Intelligence Reform Act expanded border security and visa rules, as DHS faced leadership changes and Arizona's Proposition 200 drew legal challenges.
Elections Bring Policy Changes
Arizona voters passed Proposition 200 limiting immigrant access to public benefits, while U.S. President George W. Bush signaled support for guest worker legislation.
Immigration Reform Tied to Homeland Security Bill
Disagreements over intelligence and immigration provisions stalled a post-9/11 Homeland Security Bill before the November 2004 elections.
Putting Data to Work For Immigrants and Communities: Tools for the Washington, DC Metro Area and Beyond
This guide investigates gaps in the data needs of immigrant-serving organizations by surveying the most used migration data sources and offers tips on budget-conscious trainings.
Security Checks Affect Legal Immigration
Post-9/11 security requirements cut U.S. legal permanent resident admissions 34 percent in FY 2003, leaving a backlog of 1.2 million pending applications.
Legal Immigration to U.S. Still Declining
The number of people granted U.S. legal permanent residence in fiscal year 2003 dropped 34 percent, with processing slowdowns attributed to new background check requirements and NSEERS.
The Dominican Population in the United States: Growth and Distribution
The Dominican population in the United States experienced nearly 90 percent growth between 1990 and 2000, with shifting destinations beyond the U.S. Northeast.
DHS Modifies Border and Visitor Policies
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) expanded expedited removal to border zones, extended Mexican border card stays to 30 days, and delayed biometric passport requirements until October 2005.
9/11 Commission Urges Immigration and Border Reform
The 9/11 Commission's July 2004 report called for integrated border screening, biometric passports for all travelers, and a National Counterterrorism Center.
Observations on Regularization and the Labor Market Performance of Unauthorized and Regularized Immigrants
Regularization can raise wages and boost formal employment, but success hinges on program design and whether host-country labor markets can absorb newly legal workers.
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Michelle Mittelstadt
202 266 1910 [email protected]