E.g., 06/07/2026
E.g., 06/07/2026
Immigration: The Basics

Immigration: The Basics

Immigration: The Basics collects in one place explainers and other data-rich, short-form resources that we have created to offer basic, accurate facts about immigration and immigrants in the United States and internationally. We hope you will find the resources here useful as you seek to learn more about the phenomenon of international migration and some of the 281 million people globally who live outside their country of birth.

    Immigrants take the oath of allegiance during a naturalization ceremony.
    Articles

    Frequently Requested Statistics on Immigrants and Immigration in the United States

    This essential resource offers top statistics about immigration, immigrants, and the immigration system in the United States, drawing on authoritative sources and the latest data available. The article offers insights on the size and characteristics of the immigrant population, the scope of temporary and permanent immigration via all pathways, enforcement actions, and much more.

    Recent Activity

    Immigrants take the oath of allegiance during a naturalization ceremony.
    Articles
    March 12, 2026
    Frequently Requested Statistics on Immigrants and Immigration in the United States
    By Jeanne Batalova
    A U.S. passport and green card
    Articles
    March 12, 2025
    Frequently Requested Statistics on Immigrants and Immigration in the United States
    By Jeanne Batalova
    Graphic representation of law enforcement personnel taking individuals into custody
    Explainers
    February 2025
    Guia Explicativa: Arrestos y deportaciones de ICE desde el interior de Estados Unidos
    By  Julia Gelatt and Kathleen Bush-Joseph
    Photo of migrants in line at port of entry in Brownsville awaiting possible entry
    Short Reads
    February 2025
    The Unauthorized Immigrant Population Expands amid Record U.S.-Mexico Border Arrivals
    By  Jennifer Van Hook, Ariel G. Ruiz Soto and Julia Gelatt
    Graphic representation of law enforcement personnel taking individuals into custody
    Explainers
    February 2025
    Explainer: ICE Arrests and Deportations from the U.S. Interior
    By  Julia Gelatt and Kathleen Bush-Joseph
    Collection of illustrations related to finance, business, and people working together
    Explainers
    October 2024
    Explainer: Immigrants and the U.S. Economy
    By  Julia Gelatt
    A judge's gavel with multicolor background
    Explainers
    October 2024
    Explainer: Immigrants and Crime in the United States
    By  Ariel G. Ruiz Soto
    A line drawing of a city landscape with people
    Explainers
    October 2024
    Explainer: Immigrants and the Use of Public Benefits in the United States
    By  Valerie Lacarte
    More
    Immigrants take the oath of allegiance during a naturalization ceremony.
    Spotlight
    March 12, 2026
    Frequently Requested Statistics on Immigrants and Immigration in the United States

    This essential resource offers top statistics about immigration, immigrants, and the immigration system in the United States, drawing on authoritative sources and the latest data available. The article offers insights on the size and characteristics of the immigrant population, the scope of temporary and permanent immigration via all pathways, enforcement actions, and much more.

    A U.S. passport and green card
    Spotlight
    March 12, 2025
    Frequently Requested Statistics on Immigrants and Immigration in the United States

    Find essential statistics about U.S. immigration, immigrants, and the immigration system today and throughout history. This perennially popular article compiles the latest data on the size and shape of the immigrant population, immigrant families, refugees and asylees, unauthorized immigrants, temporary visitors, and more. It also examines legal immigration processing and immigration enforcement.

    A naturalization ceremony at the White House.
    Spotlight
    March 13, 2024
    Frequently Requested Statistics on Immigrants and Immigration in the United States

    Immigration touches on many facets of life in the United States. Get the facts with this useful resource, which compiles in one place answers to some of the most often-asked questions about immigration and immigrants in the United States now and historically. This article contains essential data on the immigrant population, immigration levels, trends in immigration enforcement, and much more.

    A woman and child walk in the Somali region of Ethiopia.
    Feature
    November 16, 2023
    Climate Migration 101: An Explainer

    Is climate change a major driver of migration and displacement? From where are people leaving, and where are they going? This informative primer, a Climate Migration 101 of sorts, provides answers to basic questions about climate change and migration, starting with how and where climate change triggers human movement.

    Image of passport page with variety of stamps
    Feature
    July 21, 2022
    Top Statistics on Global Migration and Migrants

    Looking for some of the most often-sought information on global migration? This statistics-rich article draws on the most current data sources to offer a primer on international migration, highlighting its types, the size of the migrant population and growth over time, and major sending and receiving countries and regions. Beyond looking at labor and humanitarian migrants and international students, the article examines remittances and more.

    More
    Photo of migrants in line at port of entry in Brownsville awaiting possible entry
    Short Reads
    February 2025
    The Unauthorized Immigrant Population Expands amid Record U.S.-Mexico Border Arrivals
    By  Jennifer Van Hook, Ariel G. Ruiz Soto and Julia Gelatt
    A DACA recipient speaks at a DACA 12th anniversary event at the White House
    Short Reads
    July 2024
    Diverse Flows Drive Increase in U.S. Unauthorized Immigrant Population
    By  Ariel G. Ruiz Soto, Julia Gelatt and Jennifer Van Hook
    Graphic representation of law enforcement personnel taking individuals into custody
    Explainers
    February 2025

    Explainer: ICE Arrests and Deportations from the U.S. Interior

    Immigration enforcement takes place both at U.S. borders and in the nation’s interior. This explainer answers common questions about how U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement works within the U.S. interior, identifying people for arrest, detention, and removal through the criminal justice pipeline as well as through operations at worksites and within U.S. communities.

    Graphic representation of law enforcement personnel taking individuals into custody
    Explainers
    February 2025

    Guia Explicativa: Arrestos y deportaciones de ICE desde el interior de Estados Unidos

    El control migratorio en los Estados Unidos se lleva a cabo en sus fronteras, así como en el interior del país. Esta guía informática tiene respuestas a preguntas comunes sobre la función del Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas (ICE, por sus siglas en inglés) de EE. UU., en la identificación de personas para arresto, detención, y deportación a través del sistema de justicia penal y las operaciones en lugares de trabajo y dentro de comunidades estadounidenses.

    Colorful illustration of people of many different backgrounds
    Explainers
    October 2024

    Explainer: Who Are Immigrants in the United States?

    With immigration a central focus in U.S. public and policy conversations, it is useful to have a solid understanding of the foreign-born population. This explainer offers statistics on the immigrant population’s size, origins, places of U.S. settlement, and pathways of arrival. It also looks at legal statuses, which have been a topic of significant public interest and confusion. More than three-quarters of all immigrants in United States are here legally.

    A line drawing of a city landscape with people
    Explainers
    October 2024

    Explainer: Immigrants and the Use of Public Benefits in the United States

    Other than refugees, noncitizens in the United States face significant restrictions on access to federally funded public benefits, including programs such as Medicaid, food stamps, and cash assistance programs. This is particularly the case for unauthorized immigrants, who except in very limited circumstances are barred from all federally funded public benefits, as our explainer details.

    A judge's gavel with multicolor background
    Explainers
    October 2024

    Explainer: Immigrants and Crime in the United States

    A significant and growing body of research at U.S., state, and local levels demonstrates that immigrants commit crimes at lower rates than the U.S.-born population. This explainer delves into the key takeaways and also looks at the screening process for new arrivals.

    More

    Recent Activity

    Articles
    March 12, 2026

    Frequently Requested Statistics on Immigrants and Immigration in the United States

    This essential resource offers top statistics about immigration, immigrants, and the immigration system in the United States, drawing on authoritative sources and the latest data available. The article offers insights on the size and characteristics of the immigrant population, the scope of temporary and permanent immigration via all pathways, enforcement actions, and much more.

    Articles
    March 12, 2025

    Frequently Requested Statistics on Immigrants and Immigration in the United States

    Find essential statistics about U.S. immigration, immigrants, and the immigration system today and throughout history. This perennially popular article compiles the latest data on the size and shape of the immigrant population, immigrant families, refugees and asylees, unauthorized immigrants, temporary visitors, and more. It also examines legal immigration processing and immigration enforcement.

    Explainers
    February 2025

    Guia Explicativa: Arrestos y deportaciones de ICE desde el interior de Estados Unidos

    El control migratorio en los Estados Unidos se lleva a cabo en sus fronteras, así como en el interior del país. Esta guía informática tiene respuestas a preguntas comunes sobre la función del Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas (ICE, por sus siglas en inglés) de EE. UU., en la identificación de personas para arresto, detención, y deportación a través del sistema de justicia penal y las operaciones en lugares de trabajo y dentro de comunidades estadounidenses.

    Short Reads
    February 2025

    The Unauthorized Immigrant Population Expands amid Record U.S.-Mexico Border Arrivals

    The U.S. unauthorized immigrant population stood at 13.7 million as of mid-2023. The result of strong U.S. economic recovery from the pandemic and displacement in Latin America, the increase in the size of the unauthorized population is accompanied by a diversifying makeup in nationalities. As Mexico's share of the overall unauthorized population has declined, the shares from Central and South America, in particular, have increased.

    Explainers
    February 2025

    Explainer: ICE Arrests and Deportations from the U.S. Interior

    Immigration enforcement takes place both at U.S. borders and in the nation’s interior. This explainer answers common questions about how U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement works within the U.S. interior, identifying people for arrest, detention, and removal through the criminal justice pipeline as well as through operations at worksites and within U.S. communities.

    Explainers
    October 2024

    Explainer: Immigrants and the U.S. Economy

    The question of whether immigration represents a net cost or a net benefit to the U.S. economy has been a major source of contention, even as the research literature and thinking among economists has been quite clear. A strong body of research and consensus by most economists finds that immigration, on balance, is a net positive for the U.S. economy. This explainer walks through the issues.

    Explainers
    October 2024

    Explainer: Immigrants and Crime in the United States

    A significant and growing body of research at U.S., state, and local levels demonstrates that immigrants commit crimes at lower rates than the U.S.-born population. This explainer delves into the key takeaways and also looks at the screening process for new arrivals.

    Explainers
    October 2024

    Explainer: Immigrants and the Use of Public Benefits in the United States

    Other than refugees, noncitizens in the United States face significant restrictions on access to federally funded public benefits, including programs such as Medicaid, food stamps, and cash assistance programs. This is particularly the case for unauthorized immigrants, who except in very limited circumstances are barred from all federally funded public benefits, as our explainer details.

    More