Overview of Immigration



In the last 50 years the U.S. has experienced a new wave of immigration. Undocumented immigrants constitute about a quarter of the newcomers.


Undocumented workers constitute about 5% of the U.S. workforce but compose a large portion of workers in certain key sectors of the economy.


The U.S. economy is projected to rely heavily on the immigrant population in the coming decades.


Public opinion generally supports a legalization process for undocumented immigrants and opposes the idea of a border wall with Mexico or mass deportations.