Whether in the workplace, at school or in the community, immigrants are a vital part of the American fabric. They bring talent, skills and values that benefit our society and economy. They also contribute to the cultural diversity that makes America so unique. But immigration is a complex and polarizing issue, and public understanding of its impact requires careful attention.
Most immigrants say they came to the United States for aspirational reasons, such as better economic and job opportunities for themselves or their family members (75% say this was a major reason). The same is true for the share who cites a desire for a more prosperous future for their children. Smaller shares cite other factors, including joining family members or escaping unsafe or dangerous conditions.
While the term “immigrant” is used loosely in casual conversation, in legal terms it refers to someone who has moved to another country permanently and intends to stay there for good. The distinction is important because it distinguishes immigrants from those who intend to move temporarily, such as visitors on business trips or international students. As of 2019, nearly 45 million people—14 percent of the total population—are immigrants. Of this figure, 28 percent are naturalized citizens and lawful permanent residents (also known as green card holders), 23 percent are unauthorized immigrants and 16 percent are people with temporary protection from deportation (asylum seekers and those with TPS or DACA).
The first major wave of immigration to the United States was triggered by the Great Depression, which resulted in mass emigration from countries like China and India. It was followed by a period of peak immigration from the early 1900s through the 1920s, which saw new restrictions on migration such as the Chinese Exclusion Act and the National Origins Act of 1924, which established quotas for immigrant admissions and heavily favored people from European countries.
In the 21st century, new forces have shaped the nature and magnitude of immigration. These include the desire by some to escape from political or economic turmoil, war and violence; climate change and other environmental threats; the need for skilled workers; and family reunification.
Increasingly, policy action on immigration is coming from the executive branch rather than from Congress. This has led to wide policy swings from one administration to the next, limiting the potential for legislative reform and potentially exacerbating political tensions. This pendulum approach also means that immigration policy changes are rarely accompanied by a broad reimagining of the overall system. The result is that the nation’s immigration system continues to evolve in a complex and often challenging way.