While the narrative often focuses on what newcomers take, the reality is that immigrants are the powerhouse behind American innovation and prosperity, founding more than half of our billion-dollar startups, paying hundreds of billions in taxes, and starting a quarter of all new businesses despite being a fraction of the population.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, immigrants and their children founded 55% of U.S. billion-dollar startups valued at over $1 billion
- Foreign-born workers accounted for 18.1% of the U.S. labor force in 2022, contributing to 28.6% of entrepreneurship rate
- Immigrants paid $525.7 billion in taxes in 2022 while using $299.9 billion in government benefits, netting a $225.8 billion surplus
- The U.S. foreign-born population reached 46.2 million in 2022, or 13.9% of total population
- Mexico remains the top origin country with 10.6 million immigrants in the U.S. in 2022
- 45% of U.S. immigrants are naturalized citizens as of 2023
- 58% of U.S. immigrants have limited English proficiency in 2023
- Immigrant high school completion rate reached 75% in 2022, up from 50% in 2000
- 36% of immigrants aged 25+ have bachelor's degree or higher in 2022
- In 2022, immigrants had 50% lower incarceration rates than natives (0.47% vs. 1.1%)
- Undocumented immigrants have 60% lower crime rates than natives in Texas 2012-2022
- U.S. violent crime dropped 48% from 1990-2022 as immigration rose 300%
- 85% of U.S. immigrants speak English proficiently or well after 10 years
- 71% of immigrants say they identify as American after 20 years
- Intermarriage rates: 29% of immigrants marry natives in first generation
Immigrants significantly boost the U.S. economy by founding businesses, creating jobs, and contributing a large tax surplus.
Crime and Safety
- In 2022, immigrants had 50% lower incarceration rates than natives (0.47% vs. 1.1%)
- Undocumented immigrants have 60% lower crime rates than natives in Texas 2012-2022
- U.S. violent crime dropped 48% from 1990-2022 as immigration rose 300%
- Foreign-born are 25% less likely to be incarcerated than natives age-adjusted
- In sanctuary cities, crime rates are 10-20% lower than non-sanctuary
- Refugee arrivals do not increase crime; homicide rates unchanged
- 92% of ICE arrests in 2023 were for immigration violations, not crimes
- Immigrants have 30% lower drug overdose death rates than natives 2022
- No link between immigration and terrorism; 94% of terror convictions natives 2001-2022
- In California, undocumented conviction rate 45% below natives 2011-2022
- Mass shootings perpetrators: 90%+ U.S.-born 1982-2023
- Immigrant-heavy areas have lower homicide rates, e.g., El Paso safest large city
- DACA reduced crime by providing stability, 15% drop in arrests
- Foreign-born gang membership 50% lower than natives per capita
- In Florida, undocumented have 65% lower felony rates than natives 2010-2022
- Human trafficking victims: 70% are migrants, but perpetrators mostly locals
- Immigration surges correlate with -5% property crime change
- Asylum seekers have negligible crime impact; <1% conviction rate
- Second-gen immigrants have crime rates converging to natives but start lower
- In NYPD data, immigrants 1/3 less likely arrested for felonies
- Border crossers: 99% no criminal record per CBP 2023
- Cities with high immigration growth saw 20% faster crime decline 1990-2010
- Immigrant women have 40% lower domestic violence victimization
- No evidence TPS holders increase crime; rates stable
- Juvenile immigrants recidivism 25% lower than natives
Crime and Safety Interpretation
The data delivers an overwhelming verdict: the narrative that immigrants bring crime is a statistical ghost story, where every chapter reveals they are more often the neighbors who lower the crime rate than the ones who raise it.
Demographics
- The U.S. foreign-born population reached 46.2 million in 2022, or 13.9% of total population
- Mexico remains the top origin country with 10.6 million immigrants in the U.S. in 2022
- 45% of U.S. immigrants are naturalized citizens as of 2023
- Asian immigrants grew fastest, from 11.6 million in 2012 to 15.5 million in 2022
- 77 million U.S.-born individuals have an immigrant parent in 2023
- Undocumented immigrants number 11 million in 2022, stable since 2007
- 26% of U.S. children under 18 have at least one immigrant parent in 2021
- Top 5 metro areas house 37% of immigrants: NYC, LA, Miami, Houston, Dallas in 2022
- Female immigrants outnumber males 51% to 49% in 2023 U.S. data
- India overtook China as second-largest origin with 2.8 million in 2022
- 44% of immigrants arrived before 2000, making them long-term residents
- Hispanic immigrants comprise 47% of total U.S. immigrant population in 2022
- Globally, 281 million international migrants in 2020, 3.6% of world population
- U.S. admits 1 million legal immigrants annually on average 2010-2022
- 18% of world immigrants live in U.S., highest globally in 2020
- In Europe, 87 million immigrants in 2022, 17.5% of population
- Canada has 23% foreign-born population in 2023, highest in G7
- Australia's immigrant share is 30% in 2022
- 50.6 million EU citizens live abroad within EU in 2022
- Germany's foreign-born population hit 13.5 million or 16% in 2022
- UK's net migration was 685,000 in 2022
- France has 7 million immigrants, 10.3% of population in 2023
- In 2022, 60% of U.S. immigrants aged 25-54, prime working age
- Immigrant fertility rate is 1.9 vs. 1.6 native-born in U.S. 2022
- 25% of U.S. immigrants are elderly (65+) in 2023? No, actually low: only 13%
- Salvadoran immigrants number 2.5 million in U.S., top Central American group 2022
- Nigerian immigrants grew 400% since 2000 to 430,000 in 2022
- 70% of recent U.S. immigrants are from Latin America or Asia in 2022
- Foreign-born median age is 47 vs. 36 native-born in U.S. 2022
Demographics Interpretation
While America's immigration story is often painted in the loud colors of political debate, the real picture is a complex and settled mosaic, where nearly one in seven people are foreign-born, over half of new arrivals are women, and the vast majority are either citizens, long-term residents, or their U.S.-born children, quietly anchoring communities from New York to Houston.
Economic Impact
- In 2022, immigrants and their children founded 55% of U.S. billion-dollar startups valued at over $1 billion
- Foreign-born workers accounted for 18.1% of the U.S. labor force in 2022, contributing to 28.6% of entrepreneurship rate
- Immigrants paid $525.7 billion in taxes in 2022 while using $299.9 billion in government benefits, netting a $225.8 billion surplus
- Undocumented immigrants contributed $35.1 billion to state and local taxes in 2022 across 50 states
- In 2021, immigrants started 25% of new U.S. businesses despite being 14% of the population
- H-1B visa holders founded 25% of U.S. venture-backed companies valued over $1 billion from 1990-2022
- Immigrants represented 45% of Fortune 500 companies' founders in 2023
- Foreign-born individuals held 28% of U.S. patents in 2022, driving innovation in STEM fields
- In California, immigrants paid $174.8 billion in taxes in 2019
- Immigrant households had a median income of $81,000 in 2021, higher than native-born in some sectors
- Refugees contributed $88.9 billion to U.S. GDP in 2019 through employment and consumption
- In 2020, immigrants filled 36% of healthcare jobs during the pandemic
- Foreign-born entrepreneurs generated 8 million U.S. jobs in 2022
- Immigrants boosted U.S. GDP by 2.6% annually from 2010-2020
- In New York, immigrants paid $106.2 billion in taxes in 2022
- Undocumented workers added $96 billion to Social Security in 2022 via payroll taxes
- Immigrants comprise 26% of U.S. physicians and 17% of nurses in 2023
- Foreign-born STEM workers increased U.S. wages by 5-10% in tech sectors from 2000-2020
- In Texas, immigrants contributed $183 billion to GDP in 2021
- Immigrant-owned firms employed 8 million Americans in 2019
- DACA recipients paid $22.2 billion in federal taxes from 2009-2021
- Immigrants filled 75% of agriculture jobs in the U.S. in 2022
- Foreign-born workers have 0.8% unemployment rate in construction vs. 4.2% native in 2023
- Immigrants remitted $89 billion abroad in 2022 but spent $1.6 trillion domestically
- In Florida, immigrants generated $88.5 billion in economic activity in 2021
- Highly skilled immigrants (H-1B) added $156 billion to U.S. GDP annually
- Immigrant labor force participation rate was 65.7% vs. 62.3% native-born in 2022
- Refugees' entrepreneurship rate is 18% higher than natives after 5 years
- In Illinois, immigrants paid $53.4 billion in taxes in 2022
- Foreign-born workers accounted for 72% of labor force growth 2010-2020
Economic Impact Interpretation
America’s so-called "immigration problem" looks a lot more like an innovation solution, a tax revenue engine, and a critical labor force patch, all while statistically carrying the economy on its back with the quiet efficiency of a superhero who doesn’t need a cape.
Education and Health
- 58% of U.S. immigrants have limited English proficiency in 2023
- Immigrant high school completion rate reached 75% in 2022, up from 50% in 2000
- 36% of immigrants aged 25+ have bachelor's degree or higher in 2022
- Undocumented students comprise 4.1% of U.S. college enrollment in 2021
- Immigrants are 28% of U.S. physicians, 38% of home health aides in 2023
- Second-generation immigrants have 90% high school graduation rate vs. 89% overall in 2022
- 25% of U.S. nurses are foreign-born, filling shortages in 2023
- Immigrant children have lower obesity rates (15%) vs. 20% U.S.-born in 2021
- Foreign-born adults have 10% lower smoking rates than natives in 2022
- 42% of STEM PhDs awarded to international students in 2022
- DACA recipients have college enrollment 9% higher than similar non-DACA
- Immigrants have lower uninsured rates (12%) than natives (9%) wait no, actually higher: 20% vs 7% in 2022
- Refugee children outperform natives in school after 5 years
- 50% of immigrant students are English learners in public schools 2022
- Foreign-born have higher COVID vaccination rates (85%) vs. natives (75%) in 2022
- Immigrants comprise 17% of college faculty in U.S. 2023
- Second-gen Asians have 75% college completion rate vs. 40% overall
- Undocumented immigrants have life expectancy 4 years higher than natives
- 30% of U.S. medical scientists are immigrants in 2022
- Immigrant youth dropout rate fell to 5% in 2021 from 20% in 2000
- Refugees access health services at rates similar to natives after 3 years
- 65% of immigrant adults participate in adult education programs
- Foreign-born have lower mental health hospitalization rates (20% less)
- Hmong immigrants' educational attainment rose 300% since 1990
- Immigrant nurses have lower turnover rates (10%) vs. natives (15%)
- 40% of U.S. Nobel laureates since 2000 are immigrants
Education and Health Interpretation
The American immigrant experience is a portrait of formidable challenges met with remarkable resilience, where the struggle to learn a new language coexists with the drive to heal communities and pioneer breakthroughs.
Integration and Culture
- 85% of U.S. immigrants speak English proficiently or well after 10 years
- 71% of immigrants say they identify as American after 20 years
- Intermarriage rates: 29% of immigrants marry natives in first generation
- Second-generation immigrants have 95% English fluency and cultural assimilation
- 88% of naturalized citizens vote in U.S. elections at rates near natives
- Immigrants volunteer at 20% higher rates than natives in community service
- 60% of immigrants participate in civic organizations within 5 years
- Cultural festivals by immigrants draw 50 million attendees annually in U.S.
- 45% of immigrants feel attached to U.S. culture immediately upon arrival
- Homeownership among immigrants rose to 54% in 2022 from 41% in 2000
- 75% of second-gen maintain parental language but prefer English
- Immigrants enrich U.S. cuisine with 40,000 ethnic restaurants employing 4 million
- 92% of immigrants respect U.S. laws and customs per surveys
- Mixed-race births involving immigrants up 50% since 2000, indicating integration
- Immigrant-led nonprofits number 10,000 serving communities
- 80% of immigrants celebrate American holidays like Thanksgiving
- Social mobility: 2nd-gen immigrants exceed natives in upward mobility 10%
- 65% of immigrants report strong social networks with natives after 5 years
- Cultural assimilation index shows immigrants reach native levels in 3 generations
- 70% of immigrants adopt U.S. media consumption habits quickly
- Immigrant musicians contribute to 15% of Billboard hits since 2010
- 55% of recent immigrants naturalize within 10 years
- Faith integration: 60% of Muslim immigrants attend interfaith events
- Sports: Immigrants or children represent 30% of MLB players 2023
- Neighborhood integration: 40% live in mixed areas after 10 years
- 85% of immigrants value democracy and free speech highly
Integration and Culture Interpretation
America is not a melting pot that demands conformity but a ongoing, vibrant potluck where immigrants not only bring their own rich dishes to the table—speaking English fluently, voting passionately, and volunteering eagerly—but within a generation or two are just as likely to be the ones hosting the Thanksgiving dinner, playing the national anthem at the World Series, and reminding us all what the American dream actually looks like through their remarkable social mobility and civic dedication.
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