Many people assume that most foreign-born individuals, especially Hispanic immigrants, are here illegally. However, that is not the case. Our Virginia immigration attorneys work to fight that incorrect assumption. Many other immigration statistics might surprise you. Keep reading to find out more interesting statistics about immigrants in the United States.
Interesting U.S. Immigration Statistics
1. Immigrants Less Likely to Commit Crimes
Several sources concluded that immigrants are less likely to commit crimes compared to similar U.S. natives. Furthermore, areas with more immigrants often have lower rates of property and violent crimes. According to the Pew Research Center, between 2001 and 2017, 60 percent of the immigrants deported from the country had not been convicted of a crime.
2. Voluntary Departure Applications Increase
A higher number of immigrants are deciding to give up the fight to remain in the United States. Applications for voluntary departure are increasing. Immigrants are petitioning to return to their native countries instead of remaining in detention facilities in the United States.
In 2018, the number of applications for voluntary departure reached a seven-year high. Individuals granted involuntary departure will not have a deportation on their records. Many immigrants believe it is better to fight for the right to re-enter the United States from their native country than to have a deportation on their record.
3. The Largest Percentage of Immigrants Living in the U.S. Was in 1890
In 2017, 44.4 million people in the United States were foreign-born. Immigrants account for 13.6 percent of the population in this country. However, the record percentage of immigrants living in the United States occurred in 1890. In 1890, 14.8 percent of the population were immigrants.
4. Lawful Immigrants Make Up the Largest Portion of Immigrants in the United States
Seventy-seven percent of the immigrants in the United States are here legally. Naturalized citizens account for 45 percent of foreign-born individuals. Lawful permanent residents make up 27 percent of the immigrant population, and five percent of the immigrant population are temporary lawful residents. Only 23 percent of the foreign-born individuals in this country are unauthorized immigrants.
5. India Was The Top Birthplace for Immigrants in 2017
It is probably not surprising that Mexico is at the top of the list of countries of birth for immigrants in America. However, what might be surprising are the countries that make up the remaining top five countries of birth. In order from second through fifth, the countries of birth are China, India, Philippines, and El Salvador.
However, the birth country for new immigrants coming into the United States is changing. In 2017, the top country of origin for immigrants was India, followed by Mexico and China. In most years since 2010, more Asian immigrants have come to the United States compared to Hispanic immigrants. By 2055, Asians are expected to become the largest immigrant group in the United States.
Contact Our Virginia Immigration Attorney for Help
If you have questions about immigration laws in the United States, call our Virginia immigration attorneys. Our law firm assists immigrants and employers with issues related to applications for work Visas, changing immigration status, and other immigration matters.
Posted in: Immigration
posted on: April 13, 2020