The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Immigration Statistics closed out 2019 by publishing a swathe of new immigration data that offers an important portrait of new arrivals to the United States — and gives a preliminary snapshot of some of the ways that President Donald Trump’s policies are changing the face of U.S. immigration.
There’s plenty to pore over in the new reports, but here are our top takeaways:
- Fewer Europeans and Asians, more Latin Americans
President Trump’s efforts to promote European immigration and reduce immigration from African and Latin American countries hasn’t borne fruit; 2018 saw the lowest number of green cards issued to people from Europe and Asia since at least 2010:
- The number of green cards issued to Europeans is down 12.8% from 2016 levels, and down about 10.5% from 2010 levels
- The number of green cards issued to Chinese people is down 20.4% from 2016 levels, and down about 9% from 2010 levels
- The number of green cards issued to Indians is down 8% from 2016 levels, and down more than 13% from 2010 levels
By contrast, the number of green cards issued to people from the Americas has climbed sharply:
- The number of green cards issued to people from the Caribbean has risen almost 30% since 2010, driven by a 125% increase in green cards issued to Cubans
- The number of green cards issued to Central Americans has risen almost 34% since 2010
- The number of green cards issued to Venezuelans has risen by 17% since 2010
- The number of green cards issued to people from Mexico is up about 16% since 2010
The number of people from Africa who received green cards in 2018 is also up significantly, by about 15% from 2010 levels.
2. Family ties a key driver of immigration
Overall, fewer green cards have been issued since President Trump took office: the total number fell 2.7% in 2018, and was down 7.3% from 2016.
Recent Comments