DHS Statistics on Nonimmigrant Admissions from 1998 - 2007
Posted Oct 10, 2008
©MurthyDotCom
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released statistics September 26, 2008 on nonimmigrant admissions for fiscal years 1998 through 2007. These statistics reveal interesting information on the number of nonimmigrant admissions into the U.S. during the most recent decade and the various nonimmigrant classifications on which people entered and exited the U.S. during this timeframe. Out of more than 170 million nonimmigrant admissions in the ten-year timeframe, about one quarter entered as nonimmigrants with I-94 cards.
©MurthyDotCom
Nonimmigrant Statistics Available Online
©MurthyDotCom
These statistics are separated into categories, resulting in a number of charts showing details of the nonimmigrants' genders, ages, countries of citizenship, countries of residence, states of destination, and visa categories. The statistics provided are the number of admissions to the U.S., not the number of people admitted. Thus, it appears that a single person, traveling multiple times, would be counted each time s/he enters or exits the United States.
©MurthyDotCom
These nonimmigrant statistics, in the form of eleven tables, have been posted on the DHS WebSite. The DHS table providing the most general statistics, detailing nonimmigrant admissions by visa classes, may also be found online.
©MurthyDotCom
Total Admissions vs. Admissions with I-94 Cards
©MurthyDotCom
The USCIS's statistics indicate that in 2007, there were a total of 171,400,000 nonimmigrant admissions to the United States. Of this number, 37,149,651 were admitted under terms of an I-94 card issued by the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP). MurthyDotCom and MurthyBulletin readers may wish to refer to our June 30, 2006 NewsBrief entitled, Always Keep a Copy of your I-94 Cards.
©MurthyDotCom
Increase in Nonimmigrant Admissions over the Decade
©MurthyDotCom
H1B admissions nearly doubled, increasing from 240,947 in 1998 to 461,730 in 2007. Total L-1 and L-2 admissions rose from 302,451 to 531,073 during the same period. Treaty trader, treaty investor, and Australian free-trade agreement admissions (for E-1, E-2, and E-3 categories) rose from 144,572 to 238,936 during this ten-year period. Again, this largely appears to be a matter of increased travel, rather than a doubling of individuals in the particular categories.
©MurthyDotCom
Conclusion
©MurthyDotCom
We at the Murthy Law Firm appreciate the DHS's providing this report on nonimmigrant admissions to the U.S. over the past decade. We will continue to monitor DHS press releases and announcements, and provide updates to MurthyDotCom and MurthyBulletin readers who wish to understand issues dealing with U.S. immigration law and travel-related matters.