INS Announces Legal Immigration Figures for FY 1999 and 2000
Posted Feb 01, 2002

On January 18, 2002, INS released statistics on the levels of legal permanent immigration for the fiscal years (FYs) 1999 and 2000. There was a significant increase in the number of legal immigrants from FY 1999 to FY 2000. The total number of immigrants lawfully admitted for permanent residence in FY 1999 was 646,568; in FY 2000 this figure rose to 849,807. INS attributes this increase primarily to its improved processing of Adjustment of Status (I-485) cases. The above statistics include both individuals who entered the U.S. from abroad on immigrant visas and individuals already present in the U.S. who adjusted their status to permanent residency.

During both FYs 1999 and 2000, the new immigrants settled mainly in six states. These states, listed from highest to lowest numbers of new legal immigrants, are: California, New York, Florida, Texas, Illinois, and New Jersey. In both years, 40% of the new permanent immigrants came from one of the following five countries: Mexico, The People's Republic of China, Philippines, India, or Vietnam.

The vast majority of legal immigrants were family-based, either as immediate relatives (spouses, children, or parents of U.S. Citizens) or through the various family-preference categories. In FY 2000 approximately 585,000 individuals were granted permanent resident status based upon their relationships to U.S. Citizens or U.S. Permanent Residents. The remaining legal immigration was through employment, accounting for approximately 100,000; the diversity (lottery) program, which permitted 50,945 legal immigrants; and refugee / asylee adjustment of status cases, which accounted for approximately 66,000 people in 2000. We note the large numbers of families now reunited, often after lengthy separations.

We at The Law Office of Sheela Murthy extend our congratulations to every new immigrant who persevered through the process to legally immigrate to the U.S.- they embody what this country is all about. Generations of immigrants before them have brought talents, skills, and knowledge benefiting the United States and all of her citizens. America remains a nation of immigrants.