Immigrants in the US have reached a record high: more than 46 million foreign-born people now live in the US. That’s nearly a million more than last year, according to new statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau. This increase in immigrant numbers comes after a couple of years of slower growth due to issues including the Trump administration’s tightening of immigration policy and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Immigrant Component of the American Population, United States.
The percentage of the US population who are foreign-born has increased to nearly 14%, up from just a few years ago. That’s a sizeable leap as big as all the growth of the last four years together. This shows that immigration is still a key part of the country’s growth, despite policy reform and the pandemic.
Which States Are Growing the Most?
Most dramatically among these states, though, is Florida, which welcomed more than 200,000 immigrants in the past year alone. It was more than double the population growth of Georgia, which followed in second place for immigrant population growth. In 2022, Georgia had 10.7% immigrants.
Other states saw immigrant numbers grow too — such as Maryland, New Jersey, and Iowa. Many of these areas already have established immigrant populations and networks which has made it easier for a new arrival to establish himself and thrive.
Emerging Immigrant Demographics in the U.S.
In the updated Census numbers, there are also changes in where immigrants are coming from and their education. Immigrants from Latin America and Asia – in keeping with global migration – are rapidly rising.
Additionally, many of these new immigrants are highly educated: many have an undergraduate or postgraduate degree. This defies the stereotype that most immigrants are unskilled laborers or recipients of state benefits. Indeed, an increasing proportion of educated immigrants bring a high-skilled worker to the US economy, bringing advantages to various industries and sectors.
Factors Behind the Immigration Surge
Immigration is growing rapidly, and for several reasons:
Resumption of Visa Processing:
During the pandemic, the U.S. immigration process lacked speed. And now, as visas slowly are being processed, immigrants can continue coming into the country, which leads to the numbers rising.
Biden Administration’s Work:
The current administration has been also doing its best to allow more immigration and has brought in tens of thousands of newcomers under new humanitarian parole programs. Such schemes served many immigrants and refugees, including refugees from political instability or persecution at home.
Rise in Border Migrants:
A second reason for the increase in immigration is the recent migration of immigrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. This influx is part of a broader pattern of rising numbers who try to enter the US in search of refugee status or higher wages.
The Longer View: Immigrants’ Effect on the U.S.
The increasing population of immigrants in the US is not just a statistic, it is an expression of the changing nation. Immigrants still contribute much to the workforce, economy, and culture. Across the U.S., immigrants are filling labor shortages and aging workforces as industries in tech, healthcare, and construction need workers.
Plus immigrants are brought in with ideas, languages, and cultural influences, making American life better. With this demographic transformation, the United States will become more multiracial and global, as it is demanded by our interconnected world.
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The growth in immigrant populations in the US signals clearly that the nation is changing. Its increase of nearly a million immigrants in a year is evidence that the U.S. immigration system is getting better at what it does after the pandemic and policy changes.
By learning these trends and why they happen, policymakers, businesses, and communities can work together to keep immigrants safe, supported,d and able to do well in the United States and help our nation succeed globally.
