New Data Shows Majority of Green Cards Issued to Immigrants Already in America
Newly released figures are offering a clearer picture of how permanent residency is being granted in the United States. The findings highlight an important trend in the country's immigration system.
Most new green cards are no longer going to people arriving from abroad. Fresh immigration data shows that the majority are being issued to immigrants who are already living in the United States.
The findings highlight a growing shift in how legal immigration works today. Instead of entering the country as permanent residents, many immigrants first arrive on temporary visas and later adjust their status while remaining in the U.S.
The trend offers a closer look at who is receiving green cards, how they qualify, and what it could mean for future immigration policy debates.
What the New Green Card Data Reveals
New analysis from Pew Research Center shows that immigrants already living in the United States have received the most new green cards issued over the past decade. In fiscal year 2024, roughly 62% of new lawful permanent residents adjusted their status from within the U.S., while about 38% received their green cards after arriving from abroad.
The trend became even more pronounced during the pandemic years. In fiscal year 2021, only about 31% of green cards went to new arrivals, marking one of the lowest shares in recent history as overseas visa processing slowed dramatically.
The findings come at a time when adjustment-of-status applications are receiving increased attention following recent policy debates. The data underscores how obtaining permanent residency from inside the country has become a central pathway for many immigrants already living, studying, and working in the U.S.
Who Is Receiving These Green Cards?
The data shows that family-based immigrants remain the largest group benefiting from green card approvals issued inside the United States. Many are spouses, children, or parents of U.S. citizens who are already living in the country and qualify to adjust their status.
Employment-based applicants are another major group affected by this trend. Workers on temporary visas, including many highly skilled professionals, often move from a nonimmigrant visa to permanent resident status without leaving the U.S.
Refugees, asylees, and certain humanitarian immigrants also account for a significant share of adjustment-of-status approvals. The Pew analysis highlights that obtaining a green card from within the country has become the primary pathway to permanent residency for many immigrant groups.
What Researchers Say About the Shift
According to Pew Research Center, the growing share of green cards issued to people already living in the United States reflects a long-term immigration trend rather than a short-term spike. The organization found that adjustment-of-status cases have accounted for most new green cards in recent years.
Pew noted that this pattern has become especially important as policymakers debate future restrictions on adjustment of status, the process that allows eligible immigrants to become permanent residents without leaving the country. The issue has gained attention following recent USCIS policy discussions.
Government immigration data also shows that immigrants already in the U.S. received more green cards than new arrivals in fiscal year 2024, reinforcing the role of in-country applicants in today's legal immigration system.
A Decade-Long Shift in How Green Cards Are Granted
Pew Research Center found that immigrants already living in the United States have received the majority of new green cards every year since 2015. Over the last decade, about 6.7 million people adjusted their status from within the U.S., compared with roughly 5.5 million who became permanent residents after arriving from abroad.
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The trend remained strong in fiscal year 2024. Federal immigration data shows that about 783,800 people—58% of all new lawful permanent residents—received green cards while already living in the country, while approximately 574,000 obtained permanent residency through overseas processing.
Pandemic-era disruptions accelerated the shift. In fiscal year 2021, only 31% of new green cards went to applicants abroad, one of the lowest shares on record, before overseas processing gradually recovered in subsequent years.
What Comes Next for Green Card Applicants?
The Pew report does not announce a new immigration policy, but its findings highlight how important adjustment of status has become in the U.S. immigration system. With most green cards now going to people already living in the country, future policy discussions could place greater focus on this pathway.
Key points to watch:
Adjustment of status remains critical: In fiscal year 2024, a majority of new permanent residents received green cards from within the U.S., showing the continued importance of this process.
USCIS policy changes could have wider effects: Any future updates to adjustment-of-status rules could impact a large share of green card applicants because this is now the primary route to permanent residency.
Backlogs and processing times remain under scrutiny: Immigration advocates and policymakers continue to monitor whether USCIS can keep pace with demand as hundreds of thousands of applicants seek permanent resident status each year.
For immigrants currently pursuing a green card, the data serves as a reminder that pathways available from inside the United States remain a major part of the legal immigration system and will likely stay at the center of future immigration debates.
USImmiNews Take
According to Pew Research Center's 2026 analysis, most new green cards have gone to immigrants already living in the United States for ten straight years. In fiscal 2024, about 58% of new permanent residents adjusted status from within the country.
That trend shows how legal immigration has increasingly shifted toward people who are already studying, working, or living in the U.S. rather than new arrivals completing the process overseas.
For applicants, the message is clear: adjustment of status remains one of the most important pathways to permanent residency in 2026, making any future policy changes especially significant.
The information on this page is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Immigration laws and policies change frequently. Always consult a licensed immigration attorney or accredited representative before making any immigration decisions.
Last Updated: [09 June 2026] — This article reflects information available as of [09 June 2026]. Policies may have changed. Check USCIS.gov for the most current guidance.
