In 2022, the United States received 1 049 000 new immigrants on a long-term or permanent basis (including changes of status), 26% more than in 2021. This figure comprises 14% labour migrants, 69% family members (including accompanying family) and 9% humanitarian migrants. Around 409 000 permits were issued to tertiary-level international students and 821 000 to temporary and seasonal labour migrants.
Mexico, India and China were the top three nationalities of newcomers in 2022. Among the top 15 countries of origin, India registered the strongest increase (33 000) in flows to the United States compared to the previous year.
In 2023, the number of first asylum applicants increased by 61%, to reach around 1 176 000. The majority of applicants came from Venezuela (185 000), Colombia (128 000) and Cuba (99 000). The largest increase since 2022 concerned nationals of Colombia (96 000) and the largest decrease nationals of Cuba (‑58 000). Of the 320 000 decisions taken in 2023, 20% were positive.
Emigration of the United States citizens to OECD countries increased by 9% in 2022, to 109 000. Approximately 11% of this group migrated to Spain, 10% to Canada and 9% to the United Kingdom.
Reducing barriers to legal migration and promoting integration of newcomers continue to be priorities for the United States. Following the end of Title 42, which allowed US officials to turn away on the border with Mexico on the grounds of preventing the spread of the COVID‑19 pandemic, in May 2023, new policies to manage irregular migration were put in place. The authorities issued the Circumvention of Lawful Pathways rule which states that migrants who cross the border without authorisation after traveling through another country will be presumed ineligible for asylum. Exceptions exist for those who initiated a lawful process, presented themselves at a port of entry with an appointment or have been denied asylum in the third country, and for unaccompanied children.
Also in May 2023, Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced a new process for family units crossing the Southwest Border. The Family Expedited Removal Management programme places families under electronic monitoring and expedites removal for those who cannot show grounds for asylum.
Through a June 2024 Proclamation, the Administration suspended entry of noncitizens across the southern border during periods of high border crossings, with exceptions for particularly vulnerable migrants.
In June 2023, Safe Mobility Offices (SMOs) opened in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Guatemala, jointly run with UNHCR and IOM. This is part of a co‑operation strategy with countries in the region to provide lawful migration pathways, through family reunification, employment sponsorship or as refugees.
Regarding visa procedures, changes to the H‑1B visa lottery for speciality workers were implemented beginning in March 2024. The lottery will be based on individual beneficiaries rather than registrations, preventing employers from flooding the system by submitting multiple registrations for the same beneficiary. In January 2024, the Department of State launched a pilot programme that will allow 20 000 people to renew their H‑1B visa without having to return to a consulate in their home country. The Department of State also announced the expansion of eligible applicants for the visa interview waiver.
For humanitarian migrants, in January 2023, the Department of State launched the Welcome Corps Private Sponsorship program, which allows U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to sponsor and support refugees under the condition that they can raise USD 2 425 per refugee, pass a background check and submit an assistance plan. In March 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced the implementation of a simplified process to provide evidence of employment authorisation to eligible refugees admitted to the United States, with the aim of reducing waiting times from months to weeks.
Since February 2024, the White House designated Palestinians in the United States for Deferred Enforced Departure, which protects them from being removed for 18 months and makes them eligible for employment authorisation. Already in January 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) implemented a safe and lawful parole process for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans with US-based supporters allowing them to travel to the United States and apply for employment authorisation. Likewise, in July 2023, DHS implemented a family reunification parole process for Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.
For further information: www.whitehouse.gov/priorities | www.dhs.gov | www.uscis.gov | www.state.gov
