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)
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Michelle Mittelstadt
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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.
Administration Seeks Homeland Security Progress Despite Setbacks
In mid-2004, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) offered a contested $10 billion US-VISIT contract and recorded a backlog of 3.7 million applications for immigration benefits.
Health Insurance Coverage of the Foreign Born in the United States: Numbers and Trends
Foreign-born residents are far more likely to lack health insurance coverage than the U.S. born. But the longer immigrants live in the United States, the more coverage rates improve.
Democrats Introduce Immigration Reform Bill
The May 2004 Democratic SOLVE Act proposed permanent legal status for unauthorized immigrants, directly challenging U.S. President George W. Bush's temporary worker framework.
Immigrant Union Members: Numbers and Trends
Immigrant union membership grew 24 percent between 1996 and 2003—even as union representation declined among the U.S. born—raising immigrants' share of the organized workforce.
Post-Sept. 11 Security Fears, Policies Seize Spotlight
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued new detention rules and a government commission declared post-September 11 immigration security measures largely ineffective in spring 2004.