Pennsylvania Immigration Statistics

Legal permanent residents, refugees, asylees, and naturalizations

FY 2023 Immigration Overview

Source: DHS Office of Homeland Security Statistics (2023)

Lawful Permanent Residents

33,260

#8 of 50 states

Refugee Arrivals

2,770

#4 of 47 states

Asylees Granted

430

Naturalizations

25,420

In fiscal year 2023, Pennsylvania received 33,260 new lawful permanent residents (green card holders), ranking #8 among 50 states. The state welcomed 2,770 refugees and 430 asylees. A total of 25,420 people became naturalized U.S. citizens in Pennsylvania that year.

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Immigration Trends Over Time

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

This stacked area chart shows Pennsylvania'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, Pennsylvania ranked 8th nationally in lawful permanent resident admissions with 33,260 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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Pennsylvania ranked 4th among states for refugee arrivals in FY 2023with 2,770 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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Pennsylvania saw 25,420 people naturalize in FY 2023, ranking 8th 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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Pennsylvania Immigration FAQ

Can illegal immigrants vote in Pennsylvania?
No. Only U.S. citizens can vote in federal and Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?
The exact number of undocumented immigrants in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?
In FY 2023, Pennsylvania received 33,260 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 Pennsylvania?
In FY 2023, 430 people were granted asylum in Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania?
In FY 2023, 25,420 immigrants became naturalized U.S. citizens in Pennsylvania. 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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