North Carolina Immigration Statistics

Legal permanent residents, refugees, asylees, and naturalizations

FY 2023 Immigration Overview

Source: DHS Office of Homeland Security Statistics (2023)

Lawful Permanent Residents

23,760

#13 of 50 states

Refugee Arrivals

2,610

#6 of 47 states

Asylees Granted

330

Naturalizations

21,320

In fiscal year 2023, North Carolina received 23,760 new lawful permanent residents (green card holders), ranking #13 among 50 states. The state welcomed 2,610 refugees and 330 asylees. A total of 21,320 people became naturalized U.S. citizens in North Carolina that year.

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Immigration Trends Over Time

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

This stacked area chart shows North Carolina'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, North Carolina ranked 13th nationally in lawful permanent resident admissions with 23,760 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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North Carolina ranked 6th among states for refugee arrivals in FY 2023with 2,610 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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North Carolina saw 21,320 people naturalize in FY 2023, ranking 12th 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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North Carolina Immigration FAQ

Can illegal immigrants vote in North Carolina?
No. Only U.S. citizens can vote in federal and North Carolina 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 North Carolina?
The exact number of undocumented immigrants in North Carolina 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 North Carolina?
In FY 2023, North Carolina received 23,760 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 North Carolina?
In FY 2023, 330 people were granted asylum in North Carolina. 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 North Carolina?
In FY 2023, 21,320 immigrants became naturalized U.S. citizens in North Carolina. 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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