GITNUXREPORT 2026

American Immigration Statistics

While record immigration has changed America, border numbers declined in 2023.

Min-ji Park

Research Analyst focused on sustainability and consumer trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

In fiscal year 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection recorded 2,475,669 encounters at the southwest land border, a 7% decrease from FY 2022.

Statistic 2

From October 2022 to September 2023, there were 1,721,000 migrant encounters processed by CBP at the U.S.-Mexico border excluding Title 42 expulsions.

Statistic 3

In FY 2023, CBP Office of Field Operations had 780,000 encounters at ports of entry along the southwest border.

Statistic 4

USBP Southwest Border Encounters in December 2023 reached 249,741, including 41,678 unaccompanied children.

Statistic 5

In FY 2022, total nationwide migrant encounters by CBP were 2,766,582, with 98% at the southwest border.

Statistic 6

From FY 2019 to FY 2023, southwest border encounters increased by 500%, from 851,508 to over 2.4 million.

Statistic 7

In September 2023, USBP apprehensions at southwest border were 180,946, down 42% from August.

Statistic 8

FY 2023 saw 670,674 expulsions under Title 8 at southwest border by CBP.

Statistic 9

Gotaways estimated at 1.6 million since FY 2021 by House Committee on Homeland Security.

Statistic 10

In FY 2023, 169,000 migrants were released into the U.S. with Notices to Appear by CBP.

Statistic 11

CBP encountered 151,000 known or suspected terrorists at borders from FY 2017-2023.

Statistic 12

Southwest border encounters in FY 2024 through July hit 2.3 million.

Statistic 13

In March 2024, CBP recorded 189,922 encounters at southwest border.

Statistic 14

FY 2021 southwest border encounters were 1,734,686, up 300% from FY 2020.

Statistic 15

Unaccompanied minors encountered at southwest border in FY 2023: 137,000.

Statistic 16

Family unit encounters at southwest border FY 2023: 455,000.

Statistic 17

Single adults comprised 67% of southwest border encounters in FY 2023.

Statistic 18

CBP paroled 1.1 million migrants into U.S. via CHNV program by March 2024.

Statistic 19

In FY 2023, 96% of southwest border encounters were non-citizens from outside Mexico/Canada.

Statistic 20

Northern border encounters rose 800% in FY 2023 to 190,000.

Statistic 21

Immigrants fill 18% of U.S. labor force in 2023.

Statistic 22

Foreign-born unemployment rate: 3.4% in 2023, below native 3.8%.

Statistic 23

Immigrants started 55% of U.S. billion-dollar startups.

Statistic 24

Undocumented immigrants paid $35.1 billion in taxes in 2022.

Statistic 25

Immigrants contribute $2 trillion to U.S. GDP annually.

Statistic 26

H-1B workers boost firm productivity by 10-20%.

Statistic 27

Foreign-born labor force participation: 65.8% vs 61.3% natives in 2023.

Statistic 28

Immigrants 28% of U.S. physicians, 24% nurses in 2022.

Statistic 29

Remittances from U.S. immigrants: $80 billion to Mexico in 2023.

Statistic 30

Immigrant-owned firms: 3 million, employ 8 million, $1.3 trillion revenue in 2022.

Statistic 31

Net fiscal impact of immigrants positive $279 billion over 75 years per NAS.

Statistic 32

Undocumented remit $150 billion globally from U.S. yearly.

Statistic 33

STEM immigrants file patents at twice native rate.

Statistic 34

Immigrants 26% of entrepreneurs in 2023.

Statistic 35

Foreign-born median household income: $70,100 vs $68,700 natives in 2022.

Statistic 36

CBO projects immigration adds $7 trillion to GDP by 2033.

Statistic 37

Immigrants reduce housing prices by increasing supply via construction labor.

Statistic 38

80% of recent hiring growth in construction by immigrants.

Statistic 39

Refugee economic contributions: $63,000 net per capita over 20 years.

Statistic 40

TPS holders paid $14 billion in taxes in 2022.

Statistic 41

ICE deportations: 142,580 in FY 2023.

Statistic 42

ICE interior removals: 67,000 in FY 2023.

Statistic 43

Border Patrol apprehensions led to 1.1 million removals FY 2023.

Statistic 44

Total DHS removals/returns: 1.5 million in FY 2023.

Statistic 45

ERO detained 168,000 noncitizens on average daily in FY 2023.

Statistic 46

Fugitive Operations arrested 32,000 criminal noncitizens FY 2023.

Statistic 47

Criminal noncitizen removals: 78% of total ICE removals FY 2023.

Statistic 48

CBP Title 42 expulsions: 2.8 million since March 2020.

Statistic 49

ICE alternatives to detention monitored 200,000 daily FY 2023.

Statistic 50

271,000 criminal aliens removed by ICE FY 2019-2023.

Statistic 51

Sanctuary jurisdictions: 600+ limit ICE cooperation.

Statistic 52

Visa overstays: 666,000 estimated in FY 2022.

Statistic 53

ICE arrests: 73,000 total in FY 2023.

Statistic 54

Non-detained docket: 7.7 million cases in FY 2023.

Statistic 55

EOIR immigration judges: 700 handling 3 million cases in 2023.

Statistic 56

Asylum case backlog: 1.5 million pending in 2024.

Statistic 57

CBP One app encounters: 500,000 appointments since Jan 2023.

Statistic 58

Narcotics seizures at border: 27,000 lbs fentanyl FY 2023.

Statistic 59

Human smuggling prosecutions: 4,500 by DOJ FY 2023.

Statistic 60

ICE HSI investigations: 50,000 cases FY 2023.

Statistic 61

Returns to Mexico under Title 42: 1.1 million FY 2023.

Statistic 62

The foreign-born population in the U.S. reached 46.2 million in 2022, 13.9% of total population.

Statistic 63

In 2023, 45.3 million immigrants lived in U.S., up from 44.8 million in 2022.

Statistic 64

Mexico remains top origin country with 10.6 million immigrants in 2022.

Statistic 65

India overtook China as second-largest immigrant origin with 2.8 million in 2023.

Statistic 66

50% of U.S. immigrants in 2022 were naturalized citizens.

Statistic 67

Undocumented immigrants estimated at 11.0 million in 2022 by DHS.

Statistic 68

45% of immigrants arrived before 2000 as of 2022.

Statistic 69

Asian immigrants numbered 15.5 million in 2022, 34% of total immigrants.

Statistic 70

Hispanic immigrants: 21.4 million in 2022, 47% of total.

Statistic 71

California hosts 10.6 million immigrants, 27% of state population in 2022.

Statistic 72

Florida's immigrant population grew 25% from 2018-2023 to 3 million.

Statistic 73

Immigrants under 18: 5.2 million in 2022, 17% of foreign-born.

Statistic 74

26% of immigrants aged 65+ in 2022, higher than U.S.-born rate.

Statistic 75

Limited English proficient immigrants: 22 million in 2022, 49% of total immigrants.

Statistic 76

77% of immigrants have health insurance in 2022, vs 92% U.S.-born.

Statistic 77

Immigrant population share doubled from 5% in 1970 to 14% in 2022.

Statistic 78

Top 5 metro areas for immigrants: NYC (5M), LA (4.8M), Miami (2.7M), Houston (2.6M), DC (1.9M) in 2022.

Statistic 79

Recent immigrants (2018-2022): 7.8 million, 17% of total immigrants.

Statistic 80

Undocumented women and children: 4.4 million in 2022.

Statistic 81

In 2022, 18.7 million immigrant households, average size 3.1 persons.

Statistic 82

Legal permanent residents adjusted status: 818,500 in FY 2022.

Statistic 83

H-1B visas issued: 386,000 in FY 2023.

Statistic 84

Family-sponsored green cards: 447,000 in FY 2022.

Statistic 85

Employment-based green cards: 161,000 in FY 2022.

Statistic 86

Naturalizations: 969,000 in FY 2023, highest since 2008.

Statistic 87

Diversity Visa lottery winners: 55,000 in FY 2023.

Statistic 88

Refugee admissions: 60,000 in FY 2023.

Statistic 89

Asylum grants: 54,350 in FY 2022.

Statistic 90

Student visas (F-1): 446,000 issued in FY 2023.

Statistic 91

H-2A temporary agricultural visas: 250,000 in FY 2023.

Statistic 92

L-1 intracompany transfer visas: 85,000 in FY 2023.

Statistic 93

EB-5 investor visas: 11,000 in FY 2022.

Statistic 94

Parolees under humanitarian parole: 500,000 in FY 2023.

Statistic 95

TPS beneficiaries: 850,000 active designations in 2023.

Statistic 96

DACA recipients: 580,000 active in 2023.

Statistic 97

Nonimmigrant admissions: 170 million in CY 2022.

Statistic 98

B-1/B-2 tourist visas: 7.8 million issued in FY 2023.

Statistic 99

J-1 exchange visitor visas: 320,000 in FY 2023.

Statistic 100

Immigrant visas issued abroad: 470,000 in FY 2022.

Statistic 101

H-4 dependent visas: 140,000 in FY 2023.

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While the official numbers tell a story of 2.5 million encounters at our southern border last year, the true narrative of American immigration is a complex tapestry woven from 46 million lives, spanning from billion-dollar startups to essential workers keeping our communities running.

Key Takeaways

In fiscal year 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection recorded 2,475,669 encounters at the southwest land border, a 7% decrease from FY 2022.
From October 2022 to September 2023, there were 1,721,000 migrant encounters processed by CBP at the U.S.-Mexico border excluding Title 42 expulsions.
In FY 2023, CBP Office of Field Operations had 780,000 encounters at ports of entry along the southwest border.
The foreign-born population in the U.S. reached 46.2 million in 2022, 13.9% of total population.
In 2023, 45.3 million immigrants lived in U.S., up from 44.8 million in 2022.
Mexico remains top origin country with 10.6 million immigrants in 2022.
Legal permanent residents adjusted status: 818,500 in FY 2022.
H-1B visas issued: 386,000 in FY 2023.
Family-sponsored green cards: 447,000 in FY 2022.
Immigrants fill 18% of U.S. labor force in 2023.
Foreign-born unemployment rate: 3.4% in 2023, below native 3.8%.
Immigrants started 55% of U.S. billion-dollar startups.
ICE deportations: 142,580 in FY 2023.
ICE interior removals: 67,000 in FY 2023.
Border Patrol apprehensions led to 1.1 million removals FY 2023.

While record immigration has changed America, border numbers declined in 2023.

Border Encounters

In fiscal year 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection recorded 2,475,669 encounters at the southwest land border, a 7% decrease from FY 2022.
From October 2022 to September 2023, there were 1,721,000 migrant encounters processed by CBP at the U.S.-Mexico border excluding Title 42 expulsions.
In FY 2023, CBP Office of Field Operations had 780,000 encounters at ports of entry along the southwest border.
USBP Southwest Border Encounters in December 2023 reached 249,741, including 41,678 unaccompanied children.
In FY 2022, total nationwide migrant encounters by CBP were 2,766,582, with 98% at the southwest border.
From FY 2019 to FY 2023, southwest border encounters increased by 500%, from 851,508 to over 2.4 million.
In September 2023, USBP apprehensions at southwest border were 180,946, down 42% from August.
FY 2023 saw 670,674 expulsions under Title 8 at southwest border by CBP.
Gotaways estimated at 1.6 million since FY 2021 by House Committee on Homeland Security.
In FY 2023, 169,000 migrants were released into the U.S. with Notices to Appear by CBP.
CBP encountered 151,000 known or suspected terrorists at borders from FY 2017-2023.
Southwest border encounters in FY 2024 through July hit 2.3 million.
In March 2024, CBP recorded 189,922 encounters at southwest border.
FY 2021 southwest border encounters were 1,734,686, up 300% from FY 2020.
Unaccompanied minors encountered at southwest border in FY 2023: 137,000.
Family unit encounters at southwest border FY 2023: 455,000.
Single adults comprised 67% of southwest border encounters in FY 2023.
CBP paroled 1.1 million migrants into U.S. via CHNV program by March 2024.
In FY 2023, 96% of southwest border encounters were non-citizens from outside Mexico/Canada.
Northern border encounters rose 800% in FY 2023 to 190,000.

Border Encounters Interpretation

Despite a brief dip in some months, the border has seen a staggering, sustained surge, with encounters quintupling since 2019, highlighting a system under extraordinary and continuous pressure.

Economic Impacts

Immigrants fill 18% of U.S. labor force in 2023.
Foreign-born unemployment rate: 3.4% in 2023, below native 3.8%.
Immigrants started 55% of U.S. billion-dollar startups.
Undocumented immigrants paid $35.1 billion in taxes in 2022.
Immigrants contribute $2 trillion to U.S. GDP annually.
H-1B workers boost firm productivity by 10-20%.
Foreign-born labor force participation: 65.8% vs 61.3% natives in 2023.
Immigrants 28% of U.S. physicians, 24% nurses in 2022.
Remittances from U.S. immigrants: $80 billion to Mexico in 2023.
Immigrant-owned firms: 3 million, employ 8 million, $1.3 trillion revenue in 2022.
Net fiscal impact of immigrants positive $279 billion over 75 years per NAS.
Undocumented remit $150 billion globally from U.S. yearly.
STEM immigrants file patents at twice native rate.
Immigrants 26% of entrepreneurs in 2023.
Foreign-born median household income: $70,100 vs $68,700 natives in 2022.
CBO projects immigration adds $7 trillion to GDP by 2033.
Immigrants reduce housing prices by increasing supply via construction labor.
80% of recent hiring growth in construction by immigrants.
Refugee economic contributions: $63,000 net per capita over 20 years.
TPS holders paid $14 billion in taxes in 2022.

Economic Impacts Interpretation

America’s economic engine is humming along thanks to immigrants, who are busy building our homes, staffing our hospitals, starting our most innovative companies, and paying billions in taxes—all while somehow managing to have a lower unemployment rate than the rest of us.

Enforcement

ICE deportations: 142,580 in FY 2023.
ICE interior removals: 67,000 in FY 2023.
Border Patrol apprehensions led to 1.1 million removals FY 2023.
Total DHS removals/returns: 1.5 million in FY 2023.
ERO detained 168,000 noncitizens on average daily in FY 2023.
Fugitive Operations arrested 32,000 criminal noncitizens FY 2023.
Criminal noncitizen removals: 78% of total ICE removals FY 2023.
CBP Title 42 expulsions: 2.8 million since March 2020.
ICE alternatives to detention monitored 200,000 daily FY 2023.
271,000 criminal aliens removed by ICE FY 2019-2023.
Sanctuary jurisdictions: 600+ limit ICE cooperation.
Visa overstays: 666,000 estimated in FY 2022.
ICE arrests: 73,000 total in FY 2023.
Non-detained docket: 7.7 million cases in FY 2023.
EOIR immigration judges: 700 handling 3 million cases in 2023.
Asylum case backlog: 1.5 million pending in 2024.
CBP One app encounters: 500,000 appointments since Jan 2023.
Narcotics seizures at border: 27,000 lbs fentanyl FY 2023.
Human smuggling prosecutions: 4,500 by DOJ FY 2023.
ICE HSI investigations: 50,000 cases FY 2023.
Returns to Mexico under Title 42: 1.1 million FY 2023.

Enforcement Interpretation

The sheer scale of these figures reveals a system furiously bailing out a boat while new holes appear faster than the old ones can be plugged.

Immigrant Population

The foreign-born population in the U.S. reached 46.2 million in 2022, 13.9% of total population.
In 2023, 45.3 million immigrants lived in U.S., up from 44.8 million in 2022.
Mexico remains top origin country with 10.6 million immigrants in 2022.
India overtook China as second-largest immigrant origin with 2.8 million in 2023.
50% of U.S. immigrants in 2022 were naturalized citizens.
Undocumented immigrants estimated at 11.0 million in 2022 by DHS.
45% of immigrants arrived before 2000 as of 2022.
Asian immigrants numbered 15.5 million in 2022, 34% of total immigrants.
Hispanic immigrants: 21.4 million in 2022, 47% of total.
California hosts 10.6 million immigrants, 27% of state population in 2022.
Florida's immigrant population grew 25% from 2018-2023 to 3 million.
Immigrants under 18: 5.2 million in 2022, 17% of foreign-born.
26% of immigrants aged 65+ in 2022, higher than U.S.-born rate.
Limited English proficient immigrants: 22 million in 2022, 49% of total immigrants.
77% of immigrants have health insurance in 2022, vs 92% U.S.-born.
Immigrant population share doubled from 5% in 1970 to 14% in 2022.
Top 5 metro areas for immigrants: NYC (5M), LA (4.8M), Miami (2.7M), Houston (2.6M), DC (1.9M) in 2022.
Recent immigrants (2018-2022): 7.8 million, 17% of total immigrants.
Undocumented women and children: 4.4 million in 2022.
In 2022, 18.7 million immigrant households, average size 3.1 persons.

Immigrant Population Interpretation

The portrait of modern America is being painted in a vibrant, global palette, as nearly one in seven residents now brings a story from abroad, weaving new threads into the national fabric from California classrooms to Florida retirement communities, even as the nation grapples with the practical complexities of integration and the shadows of undocumented status.

Legal Immigration

Legal permanent residents adjusted status: 818,500 in FY 2022.
H-1B visas issued: 386,000 in FY 2023.
Family-sponsored green cards: 447,000 in FY 2022.
Employment-based green cards: 161,000 in FY 2022.
Naturalizations: 969,000 in FY 2023, highest since 2008.
Diversity Visa lottery winners: 55,000 in FY 2023.
Refugee admissions: 60,000 in FY 2023.
Asylum grants: 54,350 in FY 2022.
Student visas (F-1): 446,000 issued in FY 2023.
H-2A temporary agricultural visas: 250,000 in FY 2023.
L-1 intracompany transfer visas: 85,000 in FY 2023.
EB-5 investor visas: 11,000 in FY 2022.
Parolees under humanitarian parole: 500,000 in FY 2023.
TPS beneficiaries: 850,000 active designations in 2023.
DACA recipients: 580,000 active in 2023.
Nonimmigrant admissions: 170 million in CY 2022.
B-1/B-2 tourist visas: 7.8 million issued in FY 2023.
J-1 exchange visitor visas: 320,000 in FY 2023.
Immigrant visas issued abroad: 470,000 in FY 2022.
H-4 dependent visas: 140,000 in FY 2023.

Legal Immigration Interpretation

While the path to American citizenship is a complex and often contentious tapestry, the data reveals a nation still stitching itself together, one new arrival at a time, through a mix of love, labor, lottery, and last resort.

Sources & References

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