News Roundup: April 2023

Changes to Visa Bulletin Causes Major Green Card Delays

There is a limit on the number green cards that can be granted each year: 226,000 for family-based immigrants and 140,000 for employment-based immigrants. The law limits how many can be used for each country and each category. The U.S. Government uses the Visa Bulletin to keep track of all these visa numbers. In the April Visa Bulletin, the Department of State (DOS) changed how it issues green cards for the Employment-Based Fourth Preference immigrant visa (EB- 4) category, including religious workers, special immigrant juveniles, and diplomats, and others. This change significantly increases the wait times for an EB-4 immigrant visa from a few months to several years as of April 2023.

Census Report Shows Where Immigrants to the U.S. Come From, and Where They Go Once They Arrive

Recent Census data shows significant shifts in where immigrants come from and where they go once they arrive in the U.S. While Mexicans are the largest group of immigrants living the U.S., the total number of Mexicans living here has declined for the last 10 years.

Meanwhile, immigration from other countries, like India and China, is on the rise. There are various reasons for these trends- economic opportunity; safety from violence, crime, and climate disaster; and reunion with family.

The top countries of origin for immigrants to the U.S. are Latin American and Asian:

1.     Mexico 10.7M

2.     India 2.71M

3.     China 2.38M

4.     Philippines 1.98M

5.     El Salvador 1.42M

6.     Vietnam 1.34M

7.     Cuba 1.28M

8.     Dominican Republic 1.26M

9.     Guatemala 1.11M

10.  Korea 1.01M

Recent data also shows changes in where these immigrants are ending up. Historically, immigrants have settled in large cities like New York City, Chicago, and Boston. However, more immigrants are moving toward fast-growing suburban counties in the West and South. North Dakota, Delaware, South Dakota, and Idaho have seen the greatest increases in their immigrant populations. Immigrants consider a number of factors in deciding where to settle- job opportunities, affordable housing, family ties, and immigrant-friendly laws.