The 2012 Mexican Presidential Election and Mexican Immigrants of Voting Age in the United States
David Gutierrez, Jeanne Batalova, and Aaron Terrazas
Migration Policy Institute
April 26, 2012
After decades of pressure, the Mexican government passed a law in 2005 allowing Mexicans living outside the country to vote in presidential elections in Mexico. The upcoming election scheduled for July 1, 2012 will be the second time voting-eligible Mexican expatriates throughout the world will exercise their vote-from-abroad privilege. This Spotlight discusses the history and process of external voting in Mexico, voter participation rates inside and outside of Mexico, and several key characteristics of voting-age Mexicans in the United States.

Frequently Requested Statistics on Immigrants and Immigration in the United States
Jeanne Batalova and Alicia Lee
Migration Policy Institute
March 12, 2012
Interested in information on annual naturalization trends, illegal immigration, the geographical distribution of immigrants in the United States, current and historical shares, and a host of other topics? MPI's Jeanne Batalova and Alicia Lee have assembled the latest, most interesting data on immigrants and immigration into one easy-to-use resource.
Earlier versions of this Spotlight: 2010

Temporary Admissions of Nonimmigrants to the United States
Alicia Lee and Jeanne Batalova, PhD
Migration Policy Institute
February 15, 2012
There were more than 46 million nonimmigrant (temporary) admissions to the United States in 2010, the highest number in nearly three decades. MPI's Alicia Lee and Jeanne Batalova outline the definition of nonimmigrants and take a detailed look at the admissions data of US tourists, international students, temporary workers, and other nonimmigrants.
Earlier versions of this Spotlight: 2009 | 2008 | 2006 | 2002

Taiwanese Immigrants in the United States
Kristen McCabe
Migration Policy Institute
January 31, 2012
Comprising only a small share of all immigrants in the United States, the foreign born from Taiwan seem to embody the very spirit of the Asian Tiger. As of 2010, Taiwanese immigrants exhibited extremely high levels of educational attainment; a notable tendency toward homeownership; and elevated rates of employment in management, business, information technology, and certain other professional, science, and engineering fields compared to the foreign-born population overall.
Earlier versions of this Spotlight: 2010

Chinese Immigrants in the United States
Kristen McCabe
Migration Policy Institute
January 18, 2012
From rather humble beginnings, the Chinese immigrant population in the United States has grown steadily since the 1960s to reach about 1.8 million in 2010. Compared to the foreign born overall, Chinese immigrants report higher levels of educational attainment, are less likely to live in households with an annual income below the poverty line, and are substantially more likely to have naturalized as US citizens.
Earlier versions of this Spotlight: 2010 | 2008 | 2004

Green Card Holders and Legal Immigration to the United States
Carola Balbuena and Jeanne Batalova
Migration Policy Institute
December 8, 2011
More than 1 million people became legal permanent residents (LPRs) in the United States in 2010. Nearly two-thirds of new LPRs are immigrants with family ties in the United States, report MPI's Carola Balbuena and Jeanne Batalova in this updated look at the latest statistics on legal immigration.
Earlier versions of this Spotlight: 2009 | 2007 | 2006

Immigration Enforcement in the United States
Sheida Elmi and Kristen McCabe
Migration Policy Institute
October 24, 2011
At just under 517,000, immigrant apprehensions in 2010 were the lowest they have been in nearly 40 years. Sheida Elmi and Kristen McCabe analyze the most recent immigration enforcement data on apprehensions, detentions, removals, and returns of noncitizens in the United States.
Earlier versions of this Spotlight: 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007

Foreign-Born Wage and Salary Workers in the US Labor Force and Unions
Jeanne Batalova, PhD
Migration Policy Institute
September 29, 2011
Of the 14.8 million union members in 2010, 12 percent were foreign born. MPI's Jeanne Batalova examines the data on immigrant participation in the US labor force and unions.
Earlier versions of this Spotlight: 2007

Refugees and Asylees in the United States
Jeanne Batalova
Migration Policy Institute
August 23, 2011
In 2010, the United States granted humanitarian protection to nearly 95,000 immigrants, including some 73,000 refugees and 21,000 asylum seekers. MPI's Monica Li and Jeanne Batalova take a detailed look at the most recent refugee and asylum data in the United States.
Earlier versions of this Spotlight: 2009 | 2007 | 2006 | 2004

African Immigrants in the United States
Kristen McCabe
Migration Policy Institute
July 21, 2011
The 1.5 million African immigrants residing in the United States in 2009 accounted for 3.9 percent of all US immigrants. MPI's Kristen McCabe examines the origins, socioeconomic characteristics, and legal status of the African-born immigrant population.
Earlier versions of this Spotlight: 2009 | 2006 | 2004 | 2003

Naturalization Trends in the United States
Anne Nielsen, Jeanne Batalova
Migration Policy Institute
June 22, 2011
Nearly 620,000 immigrants — one-third from Mexico, India, the Philippines, and China — became US citizens in 2010. MPI's Anne Nielsen and Jeanne Batalova take a detailed look at the latest naturalization trends in the United States.
Earlier versions of this Spotlight: 2009 | 2008 | 2006 | 2004

Asian Immigrants in the United States
Jeanne Batalova
Migration Policy Institute
May 24, 2011
Immigrants from Asia accounted for about 28 percent of the total US foreign-born population in 2009. MPI's Jeanne Batalova examines the social and economic profiles of the foreign born from this region.
Earlier versions of this Spotlight: 2006

Caribbean Immigrants in the United States
Kristen McCabe
Migration Policy Institute
April 7, 2011
Immigrants from the Caribbean accounted for about 9 percent of the total US foreign-born population in 2009. MPI's Kristen McCabe examines the social and economic profiles of the foreign born from this region.
Earlier versions of this Spotlight: 2006

Middle Eastern and North African Immigrants in the United States
Aaron Terrazas
Migration Policy Institute
March 8, 2011
Immigrants from the Middle East and North Africa are more likely than the overall foreign-born population to be proficient in English, to have a college degree, and to be naturalized US citizens. MPI's Aaron Terrazas uses the latest federal data to explore the population's size, geographic distribution, and socioeconomic characteristics.

Immigrants in New-Destination States
Aaron Terrazas
Migration Policy Institute
February 8, 2011
Over the past two decades, the settlement patterns of immigrants in the United States have changed as an increasing number of the foreign born are choosing to make states in the southern and middle regions of the country their home. MPI's Aaron Terrazas profiles the immigrants in these "new-destination" states and compares them to the rest of the foreign-born population.

Central American Immigrants in the United States
Aaron Terrazas
Migration Policy Institute
January 10, 2011
The 2.9 million Central American immigrants living in the United States were more likely than both the native born and the foreign-born population overall to be of working age and to be participating in the US labor force. MPI's Aaron Terrazas examines the population's size, geographic distribution, and demographic characteristics.
Earlier versions of this Spotlight: 2006

Inmigrantes Centroamericanos en los Estados Unidos
Aarón Terrazas
Instituto de Política Migratoria (Migration Policy Institute)
January 10, 2011
Los Estados Unidos es hogar para aproximadamente 2.9 millones de inmigrantes provenientes de los países centroamericanos Belice, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, y Panamá. La migración de Centroamérica ha crecido rápidamente en las recientes décadas, pero más de dos de cada cinco inmigrantes centroamericanos carecen de estatus migratorio legal mientras que alrededor de uno en diez residen en los Estados Unidos bajo la protección temporal humanitaria.

H-1B Temporary Skilled Worker Program
Jeanne Batalova, PhD
Migration Policy Institute
October 7, 2010
Few visas in the US alphabet soup of visa types have become as well-known — or controversial — as the H-1B has in its 20-year history. MPI's Jeanne Batalova examines the program's background and the numbers and characteristics of those granted H-1B visas in 2009.

Vietnamese Immigrants in the United States
Aaron Terrazas and Cristina Batog
Migration Policy Institute
September 23, 2010
Compared to the foreign born overall, the 1.1 million Vietnamese immigrants in the United States were less likely to hold a bachelor's degree but had much higher naturalization and homeownership rates. MPI's Aaron Terrazas and Cristina Batog look at the population's size, geographic distribution, and socioeconomic characteristics.
Earlier versions of this Spotlight: 2008 | 2004

Korean Immigrants in the United States
Aaron Terrazas and Cristina Batog
Migration Policy Institute
August 24, 2010
The nation's 1.0 million Korean immigrants have settled in greater numbers in new destination states like Georgia, Washington, and Virginia. They are also more likely than immigrants overall to have a college degree and be naturalized citizens. MPI's Aaron Terrazas and Cristina Batog look at the population's size, geographic distribution and socioeconomic characteristics.
Earlier versions of this Spotlight: 2009 | 2004

Indian Immigrants in the United States
Aaron Terrazas and Cristina Batog
Migration Policy Institute
June 9, 2010
The 1.6 million Indian immigrants in the United States are the country's third-largest immigrant group and one of its best educated and fastest growing during the 2000s. MPI's Aaron Terrazas and Cristina Batog use the latest federal data to explore the population's size, geographic distribution, and socioeconomic characteristics.
Earlier versions of this Spotlight: 2008 | 2003

Filipino Immigrants in the United States
Aaron Terrazas and Jeanne Batalova
Migration Policy Institute
April 7, 2010
The 1.7 million Filipino immigrants in the United States made them the countrys second-largest immigrant group in 2008. MPIs Aaron Terrazas and Jeanne Batalova use the latest federal data to explore the population's size, geographic distribution, and socioeconomic characteristics.
Earlier versions of this Spotlight: 2008 | 2003

Mexican Immigrants in the United States
Aaron Terrazas
Migration Policy Institute
February 22, 2010
Mexican immigrants have claimed the top spot among all immigrant groups in the United States since the 1980 census. In 2008, the country's 11.4 million Mexican immigrants accounted for 30.1 percent of all US immigrants and 10 percent of all Mexicans. MPI's Aaron Terrazas examines their socioeconomic characteristics, where they live, and the size of the Mexican-born unauthorized population.
Earlier versions of this Spotlight: 2008 | 2003

Haitian Immigrants in the United States
Aaron Terrazas
Migration Policy Institute
January 15, 2010
The 535,000 Haitian immigrants residing in the United States in 2008 accounted for 1.4 percent of all US immigrants and the fourth-largest immigrant group from the Caribbean. MPI's Aaron Terrazas examines their socioeconomic characteristics, where they live, and the size of the Haitian-born unauthorized population.

Salvadoran Immigrants in the United States
Aaron Terrazas
Migration Policy Institute
January 5, 2010
The 1.1 million Salvadoran immigrants residing in the United States in 2008 accounted for 2.9 percent of all US immigrants, making them the second-largest immigrant group from Latin America. MPI's Aaron Terrazas examines their socioeconomic characteristics, where they live, and the size of the Salvadoran-born unauthorized population.

Immigrant Women in the United States
Jeanne Batalova
Migration Policy Institute
December 14, 2009
The 18.9 million immigrant women in the United States in 2008 made up 12 percent of all women in the country. MPI's Jeanne Batalova examines which countries they come from, their labor force participation, and their socioeconomic status.
Earlier versions of this Spotlight: 2003 | 2002

Older Immigrants in the United States
Aaron Terrazas
Migration Policy Institute
May 13, 2009
The 4.5 million older immigrants residing in the United States in 2007 accounted for 12 percent of all senior citizens age 65 and older. MPI's Aaron Terrazas examines the socioeconomic characteristics, where they live, their health and disability status, and their sources of income.

Middle-Class Immigrant Households in the United States
Aaron Terrazas
Migration Policy Institute
April 15, 2009
The middle class has received considerable attention during the current economic crisis. About 15 million people resided in middle-class immigrant households in 2007, and three-quarters of all children in such households were native-born US citizens. MPI's Aaron Terrazas examines where the heads of middle-class immigrant households are from, when they arrived in the United States, their occupations, and other characteristics.

Iraqi Immigrants in the United States
Aaron Terrazas
Migration Policy Institute
March 5, 2009
The 102,000 Iraqi immigrants residing in the United States in 2007 accounted for just 0.3 percent of all US immigrants. MPI's Aaron Terrazas examines their socioeconomic characteristics, where they live, and the category of admission of the Iraqi-born immigrant population.
Earlier versions of this Spotlight: 2003

College-Educated Immigrants in the United States
Jeanne Batalova and Michael Fix
Migration Policy Institute
November 24, 2008
In 2007, 15 percent of all college graduates in the US labor force were immigrants. MPI's Jeanne Batalova and Michael Fix look at their demographic and socioeconomic profile.
Earlier versions of this Spotlight: 2005

Immigrants in the US Armed Forces
Jeanne Batalova, PhD
Migration Policy Institute
May 15, 2008
About 65,000 immigrants serve across the US military's four branches, and more than two-thirds are naturalized citizens. MPI's Jeanne Batalova examines where these immigrants are from and the policies that grant them citizenship.
Earlier versions of this Spotlight: 2007

Pakistani Immigrants in the United States
Jeanne Batalova and Uriah Ferruccio
Migration Policy Institute
February 11, 2008
In 2006, about 271,000 foreign born of Pakistani origin were residing in the United States. MPI's Jeanne Batalova and Uriah Ferruccio examine the geographic distribution and socioeconomic characteristics of this population.

The Recently Arrived Foreign Born in the United States
Jeanne Batalova and Aaron Matteo Terrazas
Migration Policy Institute
May 24, 2007
Over half of the foreign born in the United States in 2005 arrived in 1990 or later. MPI's Jeanne Batalova and Aaron Terrazas look at the countries of origin, education levels, occupations, and other characteristics of newer immigrants.

Foreign-Born Health-Care Workers in the United States
Esha Clearfield and Jeanne Batalova
Migration Policy Institute
February 1, 2007
In 2005, 15 percent of all US health-care workers were foreign born. MPI's Esha Clearfield and Jeanne Batalova report.

Spotlight on Foreign Students and Exchange Visitors
Jeanne Batalova, PhD
Migration Policy Institute
November 1, 2006
The United States' education system has been a major educational destination for foreign students for decades. MPI's Jeanne Batalova describes the foreign student and exchange visitor population in the United States and highlights recent policy developments affecting them.

The Second Generation in the United States
David Dixon
October 1, 2006
Members of the second generation are more likely to finish college than both the foreign born and those who are third generation and higher. David Dixon looks at general social and demographic characteristics of the second generation in the United States.

Iranian Immigrants in the United States
Shirin Hakimzadeh and David Dixon
Migration Policy Institute
June 1, 2006
The size of the Iranian born population in the United States has more than doubled since Iran's Islamic Revolution of 1978-1979. MPI's Shirin Hakimzadeh and David Dixon provide background and statistics.

South American Immigrants in the United States
David Dixon and Julia Gelatt
Migration Policy Institute
May 1, 2006
The majority of South American born counted in the 2000 census were from Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. MPI's David Dixon and Julia Gelatt look at the social and economic profiles of the foreign born from this region.

Limited English Proficient Students in the United States
Jeanne Batalova
Migration Policy Institute
February 1, 2006
About five million students with limited proficiency in English were enrolled in US public schools in the 2003-2004 school year. MPI's Jeanne Batalova examines their characteristics.

Who Does What in US Immigration
Megan Davy, Deborah W. Meyers, and Jeanne Batalova
Migration Policy Institute
December 1, 2005
The US federal government has spread immigration-related responsibilities among six agencies. MPI's Megan Davy, Deborah Meyers, and Jeanne Batalova explain which agencies handle such tasks as assisting refugees, issuing visas, and handling interior enforcement.

Spotlight on Foreign Born in Areas Affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
Jeanne Batalova
Migration Policy Institute
October 1, 2005
According to the 2000 census, more than 150,000 foreign born lived in the counties affected by Hurricane Katrina. MPI's Jeanne Batalova takes a detailed look at the foreign-born population in the areas hit by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Self-Employed Immigrants in the United States
Jeanne Batalova and David Dixon
Migration Policy Institute
April 1, 2005
About one in 10 US immigrants is self-employed. MPI's Jeanne Batalova and David Dixon explore the importance and dimensions of this phenomenon.

European Immigrants in the United States
David Dixon
Migration Policy Institute
February 1, 2005
The European born are more likely to be proficient in English, work in higher-level occupations, and have higher earnings than the overall foreign-born population. MPI's David Dixon examines the social and economic profiles of the foreign born from Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Europe.

The Foreign-Born Hmong in the United States
Jennifer Yau
Migration Policy Institute
January 1, 2005
Over 15,000 Hmong from Laos are being resettled in the US, the latest wave of refugees from the era of US involvement in Indochina. This Spotlight by MPI's Jennifer Yau examines the political developments and demographic impact of the Hmong refugee experience.

US Immigration Statistics in 2003
Deborah Meyers and Jennifer Yau
Migration Policy Institute
November 1, 2004
MPI's Deborah Meyers and Jennifer Yau highlight data from the 2003 Yearbook of Immigration Statistics.

The Foreign Born from the Dominican Republic in the United States
Elizabeth Grieco
Migration Policy Institute
October 1, 2004
Elizabeth Grieco takes a detailed look at the foreign born from the Dominican Republic in the United States.

Canadian Immigrants in the United States
Betsy Cooper and Elizabeth Grieco
Migration Policy Institute
August 1, 2004
MPI's Betsy Cooper and Senior Demographer Elizabeth Grieco map out the characteristics of Canadians in the United States.

Educational Attainment of the Foreign Born in the United States
Elizabeth Grieco
Migration Policy Institute
July 1, 2004

Mexican Immigrants in the US Labor Force
Elizabeth Grieco and Brian Ray
Migration Policy Institute
March 1, 2004
MPI's Elizabeth Grieco and Brian Ray outline the characteristics of Mexican immigrants in the US workforce.

Remittances from the United States in Context
Kevin O'Neil
Migration Policy Institute
June 1, 2003
MPI Research Assistant Kevin O'Neil outlines key aspects of remittances from the United States.

Family Reunification
Ramah McKay
Migration Policy Institute
May 1, 2003
MPI's Ramah McKay examines the family reunification program, which accounts for approximately two-thirds of permanent immigration to the US each year.

'Special Registration' Program
Maia Jachimowicz and Ramah McKay
April 1, 2003
MPI Research Assistants Maia Jachimowicz and Ramah McKay outline the government's "Special Registration" program, which is designed to register foreign visitors from certain designated countries who are already in the United States.

Hispanic Immigrants in the United States
Elizabeth Grieco
Migration Policy Institute
February 1, 2003
Data Manager Elizabeth Grieco examines the size and distribution of the foreign-born Hispanic population throughout the United States.

Hispanos nacidos en el extranjero que viven en los Estados Unidos
Elizabeth Grieco
Instituto de Política Migratoria
February 1, 2003
La Gerente de Datos Elizabeth Grieco considera el tamaño y la distribución de la población hispana extranjera en los EEUU.

English Abilities of the US Foreign-Born Population
Elizabeth Grieco
Migration Policy Institute
January 1, 2003
Using Census 2000 data, MPI Data Manager Elizabeth Grieco examines the ability to speak English among the foreign born at the national, regional, and state levels.

Characteristics of the Foreign Born in the United States: Results from Census 2000
Elizabeth Grieco
Migration Policy Institute
December 1, 2002
This Spotlight by Elizabeth Grieco, MPI Data Manager, examines some of the demographic, social, and economic characteristics of the foreign-born population in the United States.

Settlement Patterns of the Foreign Born in the United States: Results from Census 2000
Elizabeth Grieco
Migration Policy Institute
October 1, 2002
Although the foreign born remain concentrated in certain states, many immigrants are moving into "non-traditional" areas. Elizabeth Grieco, MPI Data Manager, has prepared a spotlight on their settlement patterns.

Immigrants and Welfare Use
Amanda Levinson
Migration Policy Institute
August 1, 2002
The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996 dramatically reformed the nation's welfare system. MPI's Amanda Levinson takes a closer look at how these changes affected immigrants.