Illinois Immigration Statistics

Legal permanent residents, refugees, asylees, and naturalizations

FY 2023 Immigration Overview

Source: DHS Office of Homeland Security Statistics (2023)

Lawful Permanent Residents

37,760

#6 of 50 states

Refugee Arrivals

2,330

#11 of 47 states

Asylees Granted

570

Naturalizations

33,560

In fiscal year 2023, Illinois received 37,760 new lawful permanent residents (green card holders), ranking #6 among 50 states. The state welcomed 2,330 refugees and 570 asylees. A total of 33,560 people became naturalized U.S. citizens in Illinois that year.

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Immigration Trends Over Time

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

This stacked area chart shows Illinois'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, Illinois ranked 6th nationally in lawful permanent resident admissions with 37,760 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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Illinois ranked 11th among states for refugee arrivals in FY 2023with 2,330 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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Illinois saw 33,560 people naturalize in FY 2023, ranking 6th 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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Illinois Immigration FAQ

Can illegal immigrants vote in Illinois?
No. Only U.S. citizens can vote in federal and Illinois 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 Illinois?
The exact number of undocumented immigrants in Illinois 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 Illinois?
In FY 2023, Illinois received 37,760 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 Illinois?
In FY 2023, 570 people were granted asylum in Illinois. 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 Illinois?
In FY 2023, 33,560 immigrants became naturalized U.S. citizens in Illinois. 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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