The number of immigrants entering the U.S. last year reached its highest level in two decades, driven by post-pandemic immigration increases and a rise in asylum seekers crossing the southern border. However, the Korean immigrant population continues to decline, with the proportion of Korean immigrants now making up just over 50% of the total Korean population in the U.S.
According to a report released on September 27 by the Pew Research Center, which analyzed U.S. Census Bureau data, there were approximately 47.8 million immigrants living in the U.S. as of 2023, a 1.6 million increase from 46.2 million in 2022.
Of the immigrant population, 77% were identified as legal residents, including citizens, permanent residents, and those with temporary legal status.
Immigrants accounted for 14.3% of the total U.S. population of 334.9 million last year, nearly triple the 4.7% share in 1970. However, this remains slightly below the historical peak of 14.8% recorded in 1890.
Mexican-born immigrants were the largest group, making up 23% of the immigrant population with 10.9 million individuals. They were followed by those from India (2.9 million, 6%), China (2.4 million, 5%), and the Philippines (2.1 million, 4%).
Immigrants from Asian countries comprised 28% of the total immigrant population, although this share has been declining, with Asians representing only 29% of new immigrants in 2022. Meanwhile, new immigrants from Latin America, including Mexico, Venezuela, Cuba, and Brazil, accounted for 39%.
The Korean immigrant population has also been steadily decreasing. In 2010, there were 1,101,509 Korean immigrants, accounting for 63.7% of the total Korean population (including multiracial individuals) of 1,730,239 in the U.S.
By 2015, the Korean immigrant population had dropped to 1,067,551, or 58.6% of the total Korean population of 1,822,213. As of 2022, the Korean immigrant population stood at 1,066,967 (52%), and by last year, it had further declined to 1,037,029 (51.25%).
Last year, 714,750 Korean immigrants had become naturalized U.S. citizens, while 322,279 Korean immigrants were non-citizens. Among Korean immigrants, women made up 58.3%, significantly outnumbering men at 42.7%. The number of undocumented Korean immigrants is estimated to be around 110,000.
BY EUNBYUL KIM [kim.eb@koreadailyny.com]
