DHS Estimates of the Legal Permanent Resident Population in 2008

In a report released this month, the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) provides some estimates and analysis of the numbers and demographic composition of the legal permanent residents (“LPRS”) in the U.S. as of January 1, 2008 (yes, the data is 22 months old but the analysis is recent and should not have changed much over the past months).

Summary of Findings

In summary, an estimated 12.6 million LPRS lived in the United States on January 1, 2008.  One-half obtained LPR status in 2000 or later; one-quarter became LPRs during 2005-2007.   Of the 12.6 million, an estimated 8.2 million were eligible to naturalize and become U.S. Citizens.  Between January 2006 and 2008, the LPR population grew 5 percent, and the population eligible to naturalize increased 2 percent. In general, the size of the LPR population changes less rapidly than the total legally resident population because increases in the number of persons becoming LPRs each year are offset by persons naturalizing.

Country of Birth.  Mexico was the leading country of origin of the LPR population in 2008. An estimated 3.4 million or 27 percent of LPRS came from Mexico. The next leading source country was the Philippines (0.6 million), followed by India (0.5 million), People’s Republic of China (0.5 million), and the Dominican Republic (0.4 million). Forty-three percent of LPRS in 2008 were born in one of these five countries. The 10 leading countries of origin, which also include Cuba, El Salvador, Canada, Vietnam, and the United Kingdom, represented 56 percent of the LPR population.

State of Residence.  California was the leading state of residence with an estimated 3.4 million LPRs in 2008. The next leading states of residence were New York (1.5 million), Texas (1.3 million), and Florida (1.2 million). These four states were home to 59 percent of LPRS in 2008.   The next leading states of residence were New Jersey, Illinois, Massachusetts, Washington, Virginia, and Arizona. The 10 leading states represented 76 percent of the LPR population. The leading states of residence of the estimated LPR population and population eligible to naturalize were generally the same.