2009 Yearbook of Immigration Statistics

Statistical data on immigration have been published annually by the U.S. government since the 1890s. Over the years, the federal agencies responsible for reporting on immigration have changed, as have the content, format, and title of the annual publication. Currently, immigration data are published in the Yearbook of
Immigration Statistics by the Office of Immigration Statistics in the Policy Directorate of the Department of Homeland Security.

The 2009 Yearbook of Immigration Statistics consists of a compendium of tables organized by subject matter, including:

Legal Permanent Residents (Tables 1 to 12)

Legal permanent residents (LPRs) are persons who have been granted lawful permanent residence in the United States. They are also known as “green card” recipients.

Refugees and Asylees (Tables 13 to 19)

Refugees and asylees are persons who sought residence in the United States in order to avoid persecution in their country of origin. Persons granted refugee status applied for admission while outside the United States. Persons granted asylum applied either at a port of entry or at some point after their entry into the United States.

Naturalizations (Tables 20 to 24)

Naturalizations refer to persons aged 18 and over who become citizens of the United States. Most legal permanent residents are eligible to apply for naturalization within five years after obtaining LPR status.

Nonimmigrant Admissions (Tables 25 to 32)

Nonimmigrant admissions refer to arrivals of persons who are authorized to stay in the United States for a limited period of time. Most nonimmigrants enter the United States as tourists or business travelers, but some come to work, study, or engage in cultural exchange programs.

Nonimmigrant Admissions: The number of foreign nationals admitted to the United States on a temporary basis, e.g., as tourists, students, business visitors, or temporary workers. Notably, the number of admissions based on H-1B status (temporary workers in specialty occupations) has decreased from a peak of 461,730 in 2007, down to 409,619 in 2008 and 339,243 in 2009.

Enforcement Actions (Tables 33 to 38)

Enforcement actions include the apprehension, removal and return of foreign nationals who are in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act. These actions occur at the borders of the United States, in the interior of the country, and at designated sites outside the United States.

Link to 2009 yearbook.