Understanding the Annual Movement of Americans in the U.S.
Legal Immigration to the United States: Trends and Statistics
According to recent reports, the United States admitted over 700,000 legal permanent residents in 2022 under the category of Green Card holders. This is a significant decrease from the previous years, as the figure has not exceeded 1 million since 2013. In FY 2020, there was a notable drop to slightly over 707,000 lawful permanent residents, the lowest number since 2003. This decline can be attributed to various factors, including changes in immigration policies and economic conditions.
More surprisingly, the data on undocumented immigrants in the U.S. is even more challenging to pin down, as there is no reliable direct count. It is estimated that over 11 million undocumented immigrants were living in the U.S. in the year 2021. However, the exact number remains elusive due to the lack of legal status records for this group of people.
The spike in immigration in 1990 was largely due to a significant reform in immigration law that gave preference to skilled immigrants, which caused an ASTOUNDING peak in immigration.
Domestic Migration in the U.S.
Aside from legal and illegal immigrants, the internal migration of American citizens is also a significant aspect to consider. Approximately 16.9 million people moved to a different county in the U.S. annually, with nearly another 1.9 million people moving to the country from abroad. While these numbers might seem significant, they are still subject to fluctuations and personal circumstances.
Traditionally, movement within the U.S. has been tracked, with around 20 million people reporting changes in residence each year. However, the global financial crisis of 2008 saw this number drop to around 14 million or less. Factors such as job market uncertainty, student debt, and housing market conditions play a crucial role in how often Americans decide to move.
PEOPLE OF NOTE: For instance, IBM's slogan, IBM used to stand for I've Been Moved, now it stands for: I've Been Mumbai’d. This change reflects the growing trend of Americans relocating for employment or business opportunities in India, highlighting the dynamic nature of migration in the U.S.
Sources of Data and Reliability
It is important to recognize that the lack of formal reporting requirements makes it challenging to provide an accurate count of individuals moving within or outside the country. The U.S. Census and reports from moving companies, such as uHaul, offer anecdotal data, which while helpful, may not be comprehensive.
This question has no definitive answer due to several reasons: Legal versus illegal, movement across the state or national borders and including tourism, the ownership of property or presence in a trust, the difference between business and work visas and green cards, and the varying definitions of what constitutes a relocation, all contribute to the complexity of this topic.
The presence of minors, adults, and individuals with dual citizenship, those who have work authorizations versus those without, possession of assets, or simply suitcases—along with the inclusion or exclusion of diplomats and dignitaries—further complicates the matter. Reliable data becomes even more elusive when it comes to the intentions behind the moves, such as work or dependency, and the treatment of foreign nationals in positions of diplomatic or official capacity.
Given these complexities, it's crucial for policymakers, researchers, and the general public to approach the topic of American migration with an understanding of the multifaceted nature of movement and the challenges in accurately tracking it.