Florida emerged as the top destination for these new immigrants, closely followed by Georgia, Texas, Maryland, and North Carolina
A significant wave of immigration has surged into the United States between 2021 and 2022, primarily driven by migrants from India, Venezuela, and China. This influx comprises individuals with legal visas as well as those seeking asylum by crossing the United States’ southern border, as revealed in a recent Stateline analysis of upcoming census data.
Florida emerged as the top destination for these new immigrants, closely followed by Georgia, Texas, Maryland, and North Carolina. Their arrival has played a crucial role in filling job vacancies and counteracting population decline in major cities. Simultaneously, smaller cities and suburbs have witnessed an uptick in internal migration since the onset of the pandemic. However, this has also placed added pressure on schools and shelters in various locations, ranging from Texas to New York.
Data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey illustrates a notable increase in the immigrant population, with 46.2 million immigrants residing in the U.S. as of July 2022, compared to 45.3 million in July 2021, marking a rise of 912,000 individuals.
Among these immigrants, approximately 130,000 originated from India, reflecting a 5% increase within a year. Venezuela contributed around 122,000 new immigrants, signifying a substantial 22% surge, while China contributed approximately 86,000 individuals, indicating a 4% increase. This survey encompasses U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and immigrants and migrants residing in the country, whether legally or illegally.
This ongoing trend underscores the continued significance of immigration in the United States, impacting various aspects of society and the economy
It is noteworthy that arrivals from India and China are more likely to arrive with legal visas, while those from Venezuela and other Central and South American countries often cross the border on foot to claim asylum, leading to a “quasi-legal” status while awaiting the lengthy legal processes to unfold. Immigration court backlogs have reached unprecedented levels, with Florida, Texas, California, and New York grappling with the highest number of pending cases.
Immigrants from India and certain regions in China typically consist of high-skill workers and their families, frequently utilizing education and investor visas, which are common in both countries. In 2022, there were significant reforms to some investor visas, aimed at fostering job creation in rural and high-unemployment areas of the United States. Additionally, there have been reports of Indian and Chinese migrants crossing the southern border and seeking asylum, citing reasons such as sexual orientation or sectarian violence.
In terms of geographical distribution, immigrants from India, including long-standing residents and recent arrivals, are concentrated in California (approximately 580,000), Texas (approximately 340,000), and New Jersey (approximately 270,000). Silicon Valley’s Santa Clara and Alameda counties in California boast the largest county population, totaling around 250,000, with many individuals being recruited for high-skill visa programs.
It’s important to note that the mentioned figures do not capture the entirety of the past year, as border crossings have remained elevated during several months from mid-2022 to mid-2023. This ongoing trend underscores the continued significance of immigration in the United States, impacting various aspects of society and the economy.
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