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U.S. immigration data is one of the most discussed and most misunderstood categories of public statistics. Part of the confusion comes from the fact that different agencies measure different things: immigrants living in the United States, lawful permanent residents (green card recipients), naturalizations, refugee arrivals, border encounters, removals, and estimates of unauthorized residents are all separate metrics.
This page is a neutral, reference-style roundup of verified U.S. immigration facts and statistics. It combines historical figures with more recent updates and includes direct sources so you can check the original data.
Quick answer: The U.S. immigrant population (foreign-born residents) was estimated at 46.2 million in 2022, or roughly 14% of the U.S. population, according to U.S. Census Bureau data summarized by AP reporting. About half were naturalized U.S. citizens.
Key U.S. Immigration Statistics (Quick Reference)
| Metric | Figure | Year / Period |
|---|---|---|
| Immigrants living in the U.S. (foreign-born population) | 46.2 million | 2022 |
| Share of total U.S. population that is foreign-born | About 14% | 2022 |
| Immigrants living in the U.S. | 44.4 million | 2017 |
| Share of U.S. population that was foreign-born | 13.6% | 2017 |
| Immigrants living in the U.S. | 9.7 million | 1960 |
| Share of U.S. population that was foreign-born | 5.4% | 1960 |
Note: “Immigrants” here refers to the foreign-born population, which includes naturalized citizens, lawful permanent residents, temporary residents, and unauthorized immigrants.
Quick Summary
- The U.S. immigrant population has grown substantially over time, rising from 9.7 million in 1960 to 44.4 million in 2017 and 46.2 million in 2022.
- Immigration statistics use different definitions; border encounters, arrests, legal permanent residency, and naturalization counts are not interchangeable.
- DHS, ICE, CBP, USCIS, and Pew Research are among the most commonly cited sources for U.S. immigration data, depending on the metric.
- Unauthorized immigrant population estimates are estimates (not exact counts) and are typically published by research organizations using census and survey data.
U.S. Immigration Statistics and Facts
Number of immigrants living in the US in 2017:
Last updated (source year): 2017
Percentage of the US population that immigrants made up:
Last updated (source year): 2017
Number of immigrants living in the US (foreign-born population):
Last updated (source year): 2022
Percentage of the U.S. population that was foreign-born:
Last updated (source year): 2022
Number of immigrants living in the US in 1960:
9.7 million
Percentage of the US population that immigrants made up in 1960:
5.4%
Share of foreign-born people in the U.S. living in California, Texas, Florida, and New York combined:
Last updated (source year): 2022
Share of the foreign-born population that were naturalized U.S. citizens:
Last updated (source year): 2022
Legal Immigration (Lawful Permanent Residents)
Total number of legal immigrants to the US in FY 2017:
Total number of legal immigrants to the US in FY 2016:
Total number of legal immigrants to the US in FY 2015:
Total number of legal immigrants to the US in FY 2014:
Total number of legal immigrants to the US in FY 2013:
Most popular country of origin for legal US immigrants in FY 2015–FY 2017 (annual leaders):
Second most popular country of origin for legal US immigrants in FY 2015–FY 2017 (annual leaders):
Third most popular country of origin for legal US immigrants in FY 2016 and FY 2017:
Third most popular country of origin for legal US immigrants in FY 2015:
Refugee Arrivals (Historical U.S. Data)
Number of refugee arrivals to the US in FY 2015:
Number of refugee arrivals to the US in FY 2014:
Number of refugee arrivals to the US in FY 2013:
Number of refugee arrivals to the US in FY 2012:
Number of refugee arrivals to the US in FY 2011:
Number of refugee arrivals to the US in FY 2010:
Year with the highest number of refugee arrivals to the US since 1980:
Most popular country of origin for refugees to the US in FY 2015:
Naturalization Statistics (Historical U.S. Data)
Number of persons naturalized as US citizens in FY 2015:
Number of US citizen naturalization petitions denied in 2015:
Year with the highest number of US citizen naturalizations since 1907:
Year with highest number of naturalization petitions denied since 1907:
Unauthorized Immigration Estimates (U.S.)
Estimated number of unauthorized immigrants living in the US:
Last updated (source year): 2017 estimate, published 2019
Estimated number of unauthorized immigrants living in the US in 2014:
Estimated number of unauthorized immigrants living in the US in 1990:
Year with estimated peak number of unauthorized immigrants living in the US:
Number of unauthorized immigrants from Mexico in 2017:
Peak year for unauthorized immigrants from Mexico:
Estimated number of unauthorized immigrants in the US who live with their US-born children:
Last updated (source year): 2012
Estimated share of unauthorized immigrants given temporary protection from deportation under various federal actions (historical estimate):
Border and Enforcement Terminology (Important)
- Border encounters/apprehensions are enforcement events and are not the same thing as the number of unique people entering the U.S.
- Removals/deportations are different from arrests and apprehensions.
- Unauthorized immigrant population figures are estimates, not direct headcounts.
- Legal immigration totals usually refer to people obtaining lawful permanent resident status (green cards) in a fiscal year.
ICE Quick Facts
- ICE website: www.ice.gov
- Full agency name: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- Year ICE was established: 2003
- ICE parent agency: U.S. Department of Homeland Security
See also: Sanctuary City Facts and Statistics
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as an immigrant in U.S. statistics?
In most demographic datasets, “immigrant” means foreign-born. That includes naturalized U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, temporary residents, and unauthorized immigrants.
Are border crossings and immigration population totals the same thing?
No. Border enforcement data measures encounters, apprehensions, and removals. Population data measures how many foreign-born people are living in the United States.
What is the best source for official U.S. immigration statistics?
For federal administrative data, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its statistical publications are core sources. For demographic analysis and estimates, Pew Research Center and U.S. Census Bureau data are widely used.
Why do immigration numbers differ across sources?
Because sources may use different definitions, timeframes (calendar year vs. fiscal year), and methods (administrative counts vs. estimates from surveys/census data).
Sources and References
- AP News summary of U.S. Census Bureau report on the foreign-born population (2022 data)
- Pew Research Center: Facts on U.S. Immigrants
- Pew Research Center: Unauthorized immigrant population analysis
- DHS Yearbook of Immigration Statistics (FY 2017 Table 1)
- DHS Yearbook of Immigration Statistics (FY 2017 Table 3)
- DHS Yearbook of Immigration Statistics (FY 2016 Table 1)
- DHS Yearbook of Immigration Statistics (FY 2015 Table 3)
- DHS Yearbook of Immigration Statistics (FY 2015 Table 12)
- DHS Yearbook of Immigration Statistics (FY 2015 Table 13)
- DHS Yearbook of Immigration Statistics (FY 2015 Table 14)
- DHS Yearbook of Immigration Statistics (FY 2015 Table 20)
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
