The United States tied its all-time record for new immigration — both legal and illegal — in 2016, with 1.75 million arrivals, a new analysis found.
The analysis from the pro-immigration control think tank, Center for Immigration Studies, reported a steady climb in the numbers of both legal and illegal arrivals since 2011, when there were 1.08 million arrivals. In 2012, the total was 1.21 million; in 2013, 1.28 million; in 2014, 1.5 million; and in 2015, 1.62 million.
According to the Center, the surge in 2016 was ruled mostly by arrivals from Latin America, which saw its numbers double from about 335,000 in 2011 to 668,000 in 2016 — pushing past Asia as the top-sending region.
“The dramatic increase in new immigrants settling in the United States in recent years is primarily driven by the nation’s generous legal immigration system, both long-term temporary visa holders (e.g. guest workers and foreign students) and new permanent residents (green cards),” wrote Steven Camarota, research director at the center, The Washington Times reported.
The report used data from the American Community Survey to calculate the numbers; 2016 is the most recent available.
The 1.75 million tied with 1999 — just before the tech-bubble recession — as the highest year of all time.
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