IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALIZATION ACT OF 1965

1. What’s the total number of immigrants who were legally entered into the United States from 1790 to 1965?

The total number of immigrants who legally entered the United States from 1790 to 1965 is difficult to determine precisely, but we can provide an estimate based on the available information:

Early Immigration (1790-1850)

From 1790 to 1850, immigration to the United States was relatively low:

  • Between 1790 and 1820, estimates suggest fewer than one million immigrants arrived[3].
  • From 1820 to 1850, approximately 2.5 million immigrants entered the country[3].

The Great Wave (1850-1920)

This period saw a significant increase in immigration:

  • From 1850 to 1930, the foreign-born population grew from 2.2 million to 14.2 million[5].
  • Between 1840 and 1889, 14.3 million immigrants arrived[1].
  • From 1890 to 1919, an additional 18.2 million immigrants came to the U.S.[1].

Restricted Immigration Era (1920-1965)

Immigration slowed during this period due to restrictive policies:

  • The foreign-born population declined from 14.2 million in 1930 to 10.3 million in 1950[5].
  • Immigration levels remained relatively low through the 1950s and early 1960s[5].

Estimated Total

Adding up these figures and accounting for some overlap, we can estimate that the total number of immigrants who legally entered the United States from 1790 to 1965 was approximately 40-45 million.

It’s important to note that this is a rough estimate, as precise records for the entire period are not available, and some of these numbers include both new arrivals and the existing foreign-born population. Additionally, this estimate does not account for unauthorized immigration or emigration of those who returned to their home countries.

Citations:
[1] https://www.pewresearch.org/race-and-ethnicity/2015/09/28/modern-immigration-wave-brings-59-million-to-u-s-driving-population-growth-and-change-through-2065/
[2] https://library.law.howard.edu/civilrightshistory/immigration/history
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_immigration_to_the_United_States
[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_to_the_United_States
[5] https://www.census.gov/library/working-papers/1999/demo/POP-twps0029.html

2. What’s the total number of legal immigrants admitted into the United States from 1965 through 2024

Based on the available information, we can estimate the total number of legal immigrants admitted to the United States from 1965 through 2024:

Immigration Wave Post-1965

Between 1965 and 2015, approximately 59 million immigrants arrived in the United States[1]. This number represents a significant increase in immigration following the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act.

Recent Immigration Trends

  • By 2022, the foreign-born population in the U.S. reached 46.2 million[2].
  • In 2023, this number increased to a record 47.8 million, with a notable growth of 1.6 million from the previous year[3].

Additional Immigration Programs

By the end of 2023, about 500,000 immigrants arrived under special programs for Ukrainians and people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela[3].

Estimated Total

Considering the 59 million figure from 1965 to 2015, and accounting for the continued growth in subsequent years, we can estimate that the total number of legal immigrants admitted to the United States from 1965 through 2024 is approximately 65-70 million.

It’s important to note that this estimate:

  • Includes both new arrivals and adjustments of status for those already in the U.S.
  • Does not account for deaths or emigrants who left the U.S. during this period.
  • May slightly overlap with some pre-1965 immigrants still present in recent population counts.

The precise number is challenging to determine due to the complexity of immigration data and the various pathways to legal status. However, this estimate provides a reasonable approximation based on the available information.

Citations:
[1] https://www.pewresearch.org/race-and-ethnicity/2015/09/28/modern-immigration-wave-brings-59-million-to-u-s-driving-population-growth-and-change-through-2065/
[2] https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/frequently-requested-statistics-immigrants-and-immigration-united-states-2024
[3] https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/09/27/key-findings-about-us-immigrants/
[4] https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/fifty-years-1965-immigration-and-nationality-act-continues-reshape-united-states