On April 4, 2010, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released immigration-related statistics for the fiscal year 2009 (from October 1, 2008, to October 1, 2009). Considering the various factors involved in the immigration process, the data released this year is highly instructive for determining how to guide the immigration system in the following year.
According to DHS data, a total of 1,130,818 individuals obtained green cards in 2009, representing a 2.1% increase from the previous year. Among them, 394,874 green cards were issued to Asians, accounting for approximately 35% of the total. In terms of acquisition methods, 667,776 individuals, or 59% of the total, obtained green cards through adjustment of status (I-485 application) within the United States, while 463,042 individuals obtained green cards through consular processing abroad. This data indicates that the growth rate of individuals obtaining green cards through adjustment of status exceeded the overall growth rate, reaching 4.2%. This increase was not due to a rise in applicants within the United States, but rather because the immigration agency expedited the processing of adjustment of status applications, resulting in the resolution of more backlogged cases.
In 2009, 144,034 foreign nationals (this number includes accompanying family members; all numbers listed include both principal applicants and accompanying family members) obtained green cards through employment-based immigration, a decrease of 13% from the previous year. However, the distribution of green cards obtained through employment-based immigration across subcategories (from EB-1 to EB-5) remained largely consistent with the proportions of 2008.
In the EB-1 priority category, which includes individuals with extraordinary abilities (EB-1A), outstanding professors or researchers (EB-1B), and multinational executives or managers (EB-1C), 40,924 green cards were issued, accounting for 28% of the employment-based immigration quota. Among these, 16,742 were principal applicants, with the remainder being accompanying family members (spouses and unmarried children under 21). Within the EB-1 category, approximately 30,000 of the quotas belong to the EB-1A and EB-1B categories. Data from 1900 to 2008 shows that the EB-1 category has experienced the least variation among all employment-based immigration priority categories.
Approximately 45,552 individuals obtained green cards through the EB-2 category, including National Interest Waivers (NIW). This represents a sharp decline from the 70,000 approvals in 2008. In the EB-2 category for 2009, 22,000 were principal applicants. The number of EB-2 applicants accounted for 32% of all approved employment-based immigration applications.
The EB-3 category, which includes skilled workers, professionals, and unskilled workers, remained stable compared to the previous year, accounting for about 28% of the total employment-based immigration, with 40,398 applicants obtaining green cards.
The number of special immigrants in the EB-4 category surged from 9,500 in 2008 to 13,400 in 2009, with the majority being religious workers already residing in the United States.
In 2009, the EB-5 investment immigration category was a surprise, showing significant growth from 2008. The total number of green cards obtained through the EB-5 category nearly doubled, increasing from 1,360 in 2008 to 3,688 in 2009.
Apart from employment-based immigration applications, there were also significant changes in family immigration. A total of 535,500 immediate relatives of U.S. citizens obtained green cards, an increase of 47,000 from 2008. In the second category of family immigration, 211,859 individuals obtained green cards, a decrease of 7% from 227,761 in 2008.
The number of green cards issued to refugees and asylees was quite surprising, totaling 177,368. In 2009, 118,836 individuals obtained refugee green cards, making up the majority of this category, while 58,532 individuals obtained asylee green cards. Although the total number of refugees and asylees was also 177,368 in 2008, the number of asylees was 76,000, indicating a tightening of U.S. policy towards asylum seekers.
According to the DHS report, in 2009, the United States received 64,238 new immigrants from China (including those adjusting status in the U.S. and those with consular visas), a decrease from 80,271 in 2008. Of these, 11,295 new immigrants were in the employment-based immigration category, compared to 15,239 in 2008.
Indian immigrants totaled 57,304, a slight decrease from 63,352 the previous year. However, compared to 25,577 employment-based immigrants in 2008, only 12,911 were employment-based immigrants in 2009.
The United States accepted 8,038 immigrants from Taiwan, of which 1,884 were employment-based immigrants. Overall, the number of immigrants has shown a declining trend. In 2008, 9,073 applicants from Taiwan obtained lawful permanent resident status, of which 3,281 were through employment-based immigration.
In 2008, the United States received 26,666 Korean immigrants, of which 16,165 were employment-based immigrants. Unlike the previously mentioned countries, the decrease in the number of Koreans was not significant, with a total of 25,859 in 2009, of which 14,147 were employment-based immigrants. Additionally, the number of immigrants from the Philippines in 2009 was nearly 60,000.
In 2009, we observed a downward trend in the total number of green cards issued; however, many positive trends were also evident. Although the overall number decreased, certain categories, particularly EB-5, were less affected. Furthermore, the decline in the number of green cards issued to some countries, including India and South Korea, was not significant.
While there are limits on the total number and country quotas for green card issuance across various categories, the specific numbers issued may still vary. However, overall, the above figures can serve as a valid reference for immigration data in the coming years. The current U.S. immigration system has been established for a long time, and the likelihood of a complete overhaul is low. The much-discussed immigration law reform may not fundamentally change the existing categories but may only create limited pathways for the legalization of undocumented immigrants. Generally speaking, even if undocumented immigrants can obtain green cards through new channels, their priority and processing times will not be faster than those of legal immigrants. Therefore, foreign nationals who are eligible to apply under the current immigration law should actively seize the opportunity and take action as soon as possible.
