In a recent report released by the U.S. Census Bureau, it has been revealed that more than half of the foreign-born population in the United States resides in just four states: California, Texas, Florida, and New York. The report, which analyzed data from the bureau's American Community Survey, highlighted how the foreign-born population has grown older and more educated over the past twelve years.

According to the report, as of 2022, the estimated foreign-born population in the United States stood at 46.2 million people, accounting for nearly 14% of the country's total population. Interestingly, most states observed double-digit percentage increases in their foreign-born population over the past twelve years, emphasizing the country's growing diversity.

Among the four states with the highest concentration of foreign-born individuals, namely California, New Jersey, New York, and Florida, more than 20% of each state's population consists of foreign-born residents. On the other hand, the state with the smallest rate of foreign-born residents is West Virginia, where they constitute only 1.8% of the population.

The report also shed light on the changing composition of the foreign-born population within the country. Half of the foreign-born residents in the U.S. originated from Latin America, although the origin distribution has shifted in the past twelve years. The number of individuals from Mexico dropped by approximately 1 million, while individuals from South America and Central America increased by 2.1 million. Additionally, the proportion of the foreign population from Asia went from over a quarter to under a third, while the number of African-born residents increased from 4% to 6%.

The release of this report coincides with the prominence of immigration as a major issue in the 2024 presidential race. The Biden administration has been facing challenges in managing the unprecedented influx of migrants at the Southwest border, and the immigration debate is likely to impact the upcoming elections, potentially influencing control of Congress. Democrats are striving to convince voters that they can effectively address border-related problems with Mexico.

It is important to note that the Census Bureau report did not provide estimates on the number of unauthorized immigrants in the United States. However, the data reveals that more than half of the foreign-born population in the country are naturalized citizens, with European-born and Asian-born individuals having the highest naturalization rates, constituting around two-thirds of their respective populations. Additionally, approximately two-thirds of the foreign-born population arrived in the U.S. prior to 2010.

The report also highlighted two significant trends within the foreign-born population. Firstly, it was found that the foreign-born population has grown older over the past twelve years, illustrating the longevity of some individuals' residence in the United States. The median age of the foreign-born population has increased by five years, reaching 46.7 years. Secondly, there has been a notable increase in the level of education among foreign-born individuals in the country. The percentage of foreign-born people holding at least a high school degree has risen from more than two-thirds to three-quarters of the population between 2010 and 2022.

As the United States continues to experience demographic shifts, understanding the composition, distribution, and characteristics of the foreign-born population is crucial for policymakers and citizens alike. The report serves as a comprehensive snapshot of the dynamic nature of immigration in the country, providing insights that will inform discussions surrounding immigration policies and their impact on society.