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 811–820 of 824 results
America's Challenge: Domestic Security, Civil Liberties, and National Unity After September 11
This landmark study examines how post-9/11 security measures eroded civil liberties and national unity. It proposes a framework balancing security with constitutional protections.
Census 2010 and the Foreign Born: Averting the Data Crisis
With the proposed end of the U.S. Census Bureau’s decennial long form in 2010, what are the implications for the study of immigrant populations?
INS Continues Registering Foreign Nationals, Ridge Sworn in to Head DHS
In early 2003, the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) Special Registration reached round three; the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was formally created on January 24.
Ridge Tapped to Head Homeland Security Department
In early 2003, the new U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) took shape with Tom Ridge named secretary.
Homeland Security Department Gets Green Light
President George W. Bush signed a law on November 25, 2002 to abolish the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and create the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Legislation Introduced to Legalize Undocumented Workers
U.S. House Democrats proposed legalizing undocumented workers in October 2002.
Court Challenges Secrecy in Post-Sept. 11 Deportation Proceedings
A U.S. court ruled secret deportation hearings were unconstitutional in 2002; separately, new grants of lawful permanent residence hit 1 million in FY 2001.
Head of INS Submits Resignation
Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) Commissioner James Ziglar announced he would resign in August 2002.
Homeland Security Dept. Proposal Moves Forward
The U.S. House passed a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) bill in July 2002 moving only the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) enforcement arm to the new agency; the Senate version would transfer the entire INS and elevate it to its own directorate.
Bush Proposal Lumps INS into Homeland Security Dept.
President George W. Bush proposed merging the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) into a new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in June 2002.
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Michelle Mittelstadt
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