Persons Obtaining Legal Permanent Status by Decade & Country of Origin

This database contains the number of persons obtaining legal permanent status, sometimes called green card holders, in the U.S. by last residence and by decade, with start and end dates reflecting Fiscal Years (Oct. 1-Sept. 30). NA indicates data are either zero or not available.  

• From 1820 to 1867, figures represent alien passenger arrivals at seaports.
• From 1868 to 1891 and 1895 to 1897, figures represent immigrant alien arrivals.
• From 1892 to 1894 and 1898 to 2011, figures represent immigrant aliens admitted for permanent residence.
• From 1892 to 1903, aliens entering by cabin class were not counted as immigrants.
• Land arrivals were not completely enumerated until 1908.
• 1843 covers 9 months ending September 30, 1843.
• Fiscal Years 1832 and 1850 cover 15 months ending December 31.  Fiscal Year 1868 covers 6 months ending June 30, 1868, and Fiscal Year 1976 covers 15 months ending September 30, 1976.
• Data for years prior to 1906 refer to country of origin.
• Data from 1906 to 2011 refer to country of last residence.
• Because of changes in country boundaries, data for a particular country may not necessarily refer to the same geographic area over time.

See more Geographic Background.