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The United States remains the world’s top destination for immigrants, home to roughly one-fifth of all international migrants on the planet. The latest figures confirm that position is unchallenged: the immigrant population reached a record 47.8 million people in 2023, according to the Pew Research Center, drawing on data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
That figure represents 14.3% of the U.S. population — the largest share since 1910, though still below the all-time peak of 14.8% recorded in 1890. For context, immigrants accounted for just 4.7% of the population in 1970. The roots of that transformation trace back to the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, which replaced national-origin quotas with broader criteria centered on family reunification and professional qualifications.
Understanding who these immigrants are, where they come from, where they settle, and how they fit into the American economy is essential for anyone planning to move to the country. The data below offers a portrait drawn from the most recent compilations by the Pew Research Center and the Migration Policy Institute.
Sustained Population Growth
In 2023, the foreign-born population grew by 1.6 million compared to 2022 — the largest annual increase since 2000. That jump reflects both the recovery of migration flows following pandemic-era restrictions and the accelerated arrival of asylum seekers at the southern border throughout 2022 and 2023.
Despite the increase, the growth rate still falls short of what would be needed to surpass the relative historical peak of 1890. The more restrictive policies adopted by the federal administration starting in 2025 suggest future growth will slow, though the existing stock already in place remains large.
Countries of Origin of the Immigrant Population
Mexico holds the top position as the leading country of origin for immigrants in the United States by a wide margin. In 2022, approximately 10.6 million Mexicans lived in the country, accounting for 23% of the entire immigrant population.
The five largest groups by country of origin are:
- Mexico: 23% of the total immigrant population.
- India: 6%.
- China: 5%.
- Philippines: 4%.
- El Salvador: 3%.
When grouped by region of birth, the picture broadens:
- Asia: 28% — India, China, the Philippines, Vietnam, and South Korea make up the majority.
- Latin America (excluding Mexico): 27% — Caribbean (10%), Central America (9%), and South America (9%).
- Europe, Canada, and the rest of North America: 12%.
- Sub-Saharan Africa: 5% — a growing flow over recent decades.
- Middle East and North Africa: 4%.
Where Recent Arrivals Come From
The profile of new immigrants in 2022 reinforces long-standing trends and reveals some shifts. Mexico led arrivals with about 150,000 new immigrants, followed by India (145,000) and China (90,000). Venezuela, Cuba, Brazil, and Canada appear next, each with roughly 50,000 to 60,000 new arrivals.
Venezuela deserves special mention: a country that historically did not rank among the leading senders, it has become one of the largest sources of new immigrants since 2019, driven by the country’s political and economic crisis. A large portion of that group entered through the southern border and applied for asylum.
Legal Status: The Majority Are Here Legally
A common misconception is that most immigrants in the United States are undocumented. The 2022 data contradicts that assumption:
- 49% are naturalized citizens.
- 24% are lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders).
- 4% hold a legal temporary status (work visas, student visas, refugee status).
- 23% are undocumented.
In other words, more than three-quarters of the immigrant population are fully in compliance with U.S. immigration law. This group represents a stable economic and social force, with labor rights, access to services, and full capacity to integrate into American life.
Where Immigrants Concentrate
Geographic distribution remains historically concentrated. Four states account for more than half of the country’s immigrant population:
- California: 10.4 million — 23% of the national total.
- Texas: 5.2 million — 11%.
- Florida: 4.8 million — 10%.
- New York: 4.5 million — 10%.
By region, the distribution breaks down as follows:
- South: 35%.
- West: 33%.
- Northeast: 21%.
- Midwest: 11%.
About 63% of the immigrant population lives in just 20 major metropolitan areas. New York, Los Angeles, and Miami lead by a wide margin, but Houston, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. also hold significant immigrant populations. For those planning to immigrate, these centers offer labor markets more open to foreign-born workers, established ethnic communities, and service infrastructure geared toward integration.
Work: A Central Pillar of the American Economy
The immigrant workforce reached more than 30 million employed workers in 2022. Legal immigrants account for the majority of that group, with 22.2 million workers. The share of foreign-born workers in the total labor force rose from 17% in 2007 to 18% in 2022.
Sectors such as agriculture, construction, hospitality, healthcare, technology, and domestic services show immigrant participation rates well above the national average. In certain specific occupations — agricultural harvesting, long-term care, software engineering — the share of foreign-born workers exceeds 30%.
This structural dependence on immigrant labor is one of the factors that limits, in practice, the enforcement of the most drastic restrictive policies. Even administrations with restrictive agendas tend to maintain or expand channels for skilled workers.
English and Linguistic Diversity
Approximately 54% of immigrants aged 5 and older have a good command of English. Within that group, 37% speak English very well and 17% use only English at home.
Proficiency varies by region of origin:
- Canada: 97%.
- Oceania: 82%.
- Sub-Saharan Africa: 76%.
- Europe: 75%.
- South Asia: 73%.
Length of residence also plays a role. Among immigrants with fewer than five years in the country, 45% are proficient in English. For those who have been here 20 years or more, that figure rises to 56%. This gradual increase shows that linguistic integration is a long-term process, not something that concludes in the first few years.
Spanish remains the second most spoken language, present in 41% of immigrant households. Other common languages:
- English only: 17%.
- Chinese: 6%.
- Filipino/Tagalog: 4%.
- French or Haitian Creole: 3%.
- Vietnamese: 2%.
What These Numbers Mean for Those Planning to Immigrate
Three practical conclusions emerge from reading the data.
The massive and diverse presence of immigrants normalizes the foreign-born as a standard part of the American landscape — arriving is nothing new. Structured communities exist across virtually every linguistic and national group, offering support networks for newcomers.
The concentration in four states (California, Texas, Florida, and New York) is no coincidence. These locations offer the most favorable ecosystem for integration: professional opportunities, multilingual schools, bilingual services, ethnic networks, and a cosmopolitan consumer market. For those who prioritize a fast adaptation, these states offer an early advantage.
Most of the growth in the immigrant population comes through legal channels — naturalized citizens, permanent residents, and work visa holders. For anyone seriously considering the move, the legal pathway remains the most solid route and the one most aligned with the country’s actual demographic structure.
Victoria Harper
Editor-in-Chief
Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.
