The number of immigrants in the United States has been steadily increasing. As of the end of 2022, the number of immigrants in the U.S. is approximately 46.18 million, accounting for about 13.9% of the total population. This is an increase of about 910,000 compared to the previous year, recovering to pre-pandemic levels. In particular, the number of Korean immigrants is about 1.045 million, making up about 2.3% of all immigrants, with Mexico, India, and China being the top countries of origin.

The main reasons for this increase include the resumption of immigration procedures after the pandemic and changes in U.S. immigration policy. In particular, the humanitarian immigration policy of the Biden administration is analyzed to have contributed to the increase in immigrant inflow.

In the U.S. presidential election held on November 5, 2024, Republican candidate Donald Trump was elected. Accordingly, President Trump will begin his second term on January 20, 2025.

During President Trump's term, U.S. immigration policy is expected to develop in a different direction than before. President Trump has previously pursued strong immigration restriction policies, and it is highly likely that similar policies will continue during this term. These policy changes are expected to affect the number of immigrants in the U.S. and the social and economic status of immigrants.

The number of immigrants in the United States is continuously increasing, and President Trump's term is expected to have a significant impact on future immigration policy. The social and economic status of immigrants and their impact on American society as a whole will change according to future policy changes.

Key Points of the Green Card Policy in February 2025:

• Family Immigration:

  • Priority 1 (F1): For unmarried children over 21 of U.S. citizens. The approval date has progressed by 1 month to January 22, 2015, and the application date is frozen at September 1, 2017.
  • Priority 2A: For spouses and minor children of green card holders. The approval date is frozen at January 1, 2022, and the application date is frozen at July 15, 2024.
  • Priority 2B: For unmarried adult children of green card holders. The approval date has progressed by 3 weeks to May 22, 2016, and the application date is frozen at January 1, 2017.
  • Priority 3: For married children of U.S. citizens. The approval date has progressed by 2 months and 2 weeks to July 1, 2010, and the application date has progressed by 3 months to July 22, 2012.
  • Priority 4: For siblings of U.S. citizens. Both the approval date and application date are frozen.

• Employment Immigration:

  • Priority 1 (EB-1): Both the approval date and application date remain open.
  • Priority 2 (EB-2): The approval date has progressed by 2 weeks to April 1, 2023, and the application date is frozen at August 1, 2023.
  • Priority 3 Professional and Skilled (EB-3): The approval date has progressed by 2 weeks to December 1, 2022, and the application date is frozen at March 1, 2023.
  • Priority 3 Unskilled (EB-3): The approval date has progressed by 1 week to December 8, 2020, and the application date is frozen at May 22, 2021.
  • Priority 4 Special Immigration Religious (EB-4): Both the approval date and application date are frozen.
  • Priority 5 Investment Immigration (EB-5): Both the approval date and application date remain open.