IMMIGRATION STATISTICS ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN IMMIGRATION COUNCIL
Today , 13.6 percent of the nation ’ s residents are foreign-born , more than half of whom are naturalized citizens . Immigrants support the U . S . economy in many ways , accounting for 22.2 percent of entrepreneurs , 22.8 percent of STEM workers , and 15.2 percent of nurses .
STEM : Jobs in science , technology , engineering , and math ( STEM ) fields are some of the most in-demand jobs in the U . S . economy . These jobs are also expected to experience some of the highest growth rates in the next decade , second only to healthcare jobs . While immigrants already play a huge part in maintaining the United States ’ role as a leading innovator , immigrants will also be instrumental in helping high-tech industries meet their full potential as their needs for high-skilled STEM workers rapidly increases in the future .
Healthcare : As millions of baby boomers become elderly , the U . S . healthcare system is facing unprecedented demand , adding jobs faster than any other segment of the economy . Many healthcare businesses and providers are struggling to find enough workers , and in some rural areas shortages are particularly acute . Immigrants have already been filling some of our most glaring healthcare needs . They are twice as likely as the U . S . -born to work as home health aides , and twice as likely to work as physicians and surgeons .
• 15.20 % of nurses are foreign-born
• 25.80 % of health aides are foreign-born
International Students : International students in the United States contribute tens of billions of dollars to the U . S . economy every year and support a significant number of U . S . jobs through their tuition payments and day-to-day spending . Research has also found that increases in the number of international students at American universities boost innovation and patent creation .
• 948,519 students at U . S . colleges and universities are international students
• $ 33.3B is the economic contribution of international students
• 335,423 jobs are supported by international students
Naturalization & Voting Power : As more immigrants naturalize and become eligible to vote , they continue to gain political power . The number of immigrant voters is only projected to rise in the next decade , and in some states foreign-born voters are already capable of deciding elections .
• 23,053,019 - Number of immigrants who are eligible to vote
• 23,775,184 - Number of immigrants who are naturalized U . S . citizens
• 7,439,195 - Number of immigrants who are eligible for naturalization