California Immigration Statistics

Legal permanent residents, refugees, asylees, and naturalizations

FY 2023 Immigration Overview

Source: DHS Office of Homeland Security Statistics (2023)

Lawful Permanent Residents

205,040

#1 of 50 states

Refugee Arrivals

3,670

#3 of 47 states

Asylees Granted

4,540

Naturalizations

154,520

In fiscal year 2023, California received 205,040 new lawful permanent residents (green card holders), ranking #1 among 50 states. The state welcomed 3,670 refugees and 4,540 asylees. A total of 154,520 people became naturalized U.S. citizens in California that year.

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Immigration Trends Over Time

Source: DHS OHSS (2013–2023)
FY 2013 → 2023

This stacked area chart shows California's total immigration volume from FY 2013 to 2023, broken down by lawful permanent residents, naturalizations, refugees, and asylees. Trends may reflect changes in federal immigration policy, refugee ceilings, and processing backlogs.

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Lawful Permanent Residents by State

Source: DHS OHSS (2023)
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In FY 2023, California ranked 1st nationally in lawful permanent resident admissions with 205,040 new LPRs. California, New York, and Florida typically lead all states in total LPR volume.

Refugee Arrivals by State

Source: DHS OHSS (2023)
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California ranked 3rd among states for refugee arrivals in FY 2023with 3,670 refugees resettled. Refugee admissions vary significantly by state based on resettlement agency capacity and community support infrastructure.

Naturalizations by State

Source: DHS OHSS (2023)
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California saw 154,520 people naturalize in FY 2023, ranking 1st nationally. Naturalization rates often correlate with the size of a state's existing immigrant population and the availability of USCIS field offices.

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California Immigration FAQ

Can illegal immigrants vote in California?
No. Only U.S. citizens can vote in federal and California state elections. Non-citizens, including undocumented immigrants, are prohibited from voting in federal elections under federal law (18 U.S.C. § 611). Registering or voting as a non-citizen can result in fines, imprisonment, and deportation.
How many illegal immigrants are in California?
The exact number of undocumented immigrants in California is difficult to determine since no official government count exists. Estimates from organizations like the Pew Research Center and the Migration Policy Institute provide approximations based on Census data and demographic modeling, but these figures carry significant uncertainty.
How many legal immigrants are in California?
In FY 2023, California received 205,040 new lawful permanent residents (green card holders). This figure represents new arrivals in a single fiscal year, not the total foreign-born population of the state.
How many immigrants are granted asylum in California?
In FY 2023, 4,540 people were granted asylum in California. Asylum is granted to individuals already in the U.S. who can demonstrate persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.
How many immigrants are naturalized in California?
In FY 2023, 154,520 immigrants became naturalized U.S. citizens in California. Naturalization requires lawful permanent resident status, typically 5 years of continuous residence (3 years if married to a U.S. citizen), English proficiency, and passing a civics test.

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