Table 2

Vast majority of applicants for green cards through extended family reside abroad while 79% of employment-based applicants are already in the United States: New lawful permanent residents by major class and type of admission, 2019

Major class of admission Adjustments of status New arrivals Total
Total new lawful permanent residents 572,434 458,556 1,030,990
Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens 311,380 193,885 505,265
Family-sponsored preferences 18,989 184,912 203,901
Employment-based preferences 110,604 28,733 139,337
Diversity 1,003 42,437 43,440
Refugees and asylees 107,057 0 107,057
Parolees 16 0 16
Other 23,385 8,589 31,974
Total new lawful permanent residents 56% 44% 100%
Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens 62% 38% 100%
Family-sponsored preferences 9% 91% 100%
Employment-based preferences 79% 21% 100%
Diversity 2% 98% 100%
Refugees and asylees 100% 0% 100%
Parolees 100% 0% 100%
Other 73% 27% 100%
Economic Policy Institute

Note: Adjustments of status represents applicants for lawful permanent resident status who are already residing in the United States, and new arrivals represents applicants for lawful permanent resident status who are residing outside of the United States, usually in the country of origin. "Other" category includes children born abroad to alien residents, certain Iraqis and Afghans employed by U.S. Government and their spouses and children, cancellation of removal, victims of human trafficking, victims of crimes and their spouses and children, and DHS’s “other” category which primarily consists of those admitted or adjusted under special legislation.

Source: Author's analysis of U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Legal Immigration and Adjustment of Status Report Fiscal Year 2019, Quarter 4, Table 1B.

Copy the code below to embed this chart on your website.

Previous chart: «

Next chart: »