DHS releases 2013 statistics on lawful permanent residents

Statistics on the number and characteristics of lawful permanent residents (LPRs) for fiscal year 2013 have been released by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The total number of LPRs decreased by 4 percent, from 1.03 million in fiscal 2012 to 990,553 in fiscal 2013. The number of LPRs in the employment-based preference categories was higher in 2013 (16 percent of all LPRs) than in 2012 (14 percent), mostly because of higher limits. Within the employment-based preference categories, a higher percentage of LPRs than in the past two fiscal years fell into the categories of “professionals with advanced degrees” and “skilled workers, professional, unskilled workers.”

In 2013, 40 percent of new LPRs were born in Asia and 32 percent were born in North America, of which 14 percent were born in Mexico. These figures are consistent with a recent trend—every year since 2009, Asian and North America accounted for 70 percent or more of the LPR flow.

The top five states of residence for LPRs in 2013 were California (19 percent), New York (13 percent), Florida (10 percent), Texas (9 percent) and New Jersey (5 percent).

The report, published by DHS’ Office of Immigration Statistics, presented data drawn from the Computer Linked Application Information Management System (CLAIMS) and the Electronic Immigration System (ELIS), two databases of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that maintain numbers of applications and biographical information of lawful permanent residents.

Copyright © 2016 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.