A Comprehensive, Link-Attracting Resource for Journalists, Researchers, Policy Analysts, and Reddit Communities
Quick Answer: Where to Find the Most Trusted U.S. Immigration Data in 2026
U.S. immigration statistics are scattered across multiple federal agencies. There is no master spreadsheet, and serious researchers must combine datasets from TRAC, DHS, USCIS, DOS, DOL, CDC, Census, FBI, and non-government think tanks.
Below are the seven most authoritative sources for U.S. immigration data in 2026:
- TRAC Immigration Tools – Real-time court backlogs, asylum decisions, detention, ICE enforcement
- DHS Yearbook of Immigration Statistics – Official admissions, enforcement, removals
- USCIS Immigration & Citizenship Data – Approvals, denials, RFEs, case volumes
- USCIS Processing Times – Case-level wait times
- DOS Visa Statistics – Worldwide visa issuances & refusals
- DOL Foreign Labor Data – PERM, H-1B, wage levels
- Census Data Tools – Immigrant demographics, origins, labor patterns
This article brings all of these sources together in one place, in a format optimized for journalists on deadline, researchers seeking raw datasets, and Reddit communities that need authoritative links.
How to Use This Library (Journalists, Researchers, Redditors)
For Journalists
Start with:
Use these tools to verify political claims about asylum, border enforcement, denials, and visa backlogs.
For Researchers and Policy Analysts
Combine:
- USCIS quarterly reports
- DOS visa refusal data
- DHS flow reports
- DOL wage & PERM releases
- Census microdata
These enable multiyear trend analysis.
For Reddit Communities
Use TRAC and AIC/MPI visual tools to answer:
- “Is asylum approval going up or down?”
- “Are marriage green card interviews delaying?”
- “How many undocumented immigrants live in my state?”
Every section below explains which dataset to cite for which claim.
TRAC Immigration (Syracuse University)
TRAC is one of the most cited independent immigration data sources in the United States. It uses FOIA litigation to obtain data that federal agencies do not publish.
Key TRAC Tools
1. Immigration Court Backlog
TRAC Court Backlog Tool
Shows:
- Total backlog
- By court
- By state
- By nationality
- Median wait times
Reddit use: Perfect for explaining why some asylum seekers wait years.
2. Judge-by-Judge Asylum Decisions
Asylum Decisions by Judge
Shows:
- Grant vs. denial rates
- Variation among judges
- Historical trends
Journalist use: Essential for stories on disparities in adjudication.
3. Detention Data
Detention Data Tools
Includes:
- ATD monitoring trends
- Detention bed usage
- ICE arrest patterns
4. Enforcement Data
TRAC ICE Enforcement
Shows arrests by region, nationality, and time.
DHS / Office of Homeland Security Statistics (OHSS)
DHS publishes the official statistical record of immigration to the United States.
1. Yearbook of Immigration Statistics
DHS Yearbook
Contains annual tables for:
- Legal permanent residents
- Refugees & asylees
- Naturalizations
- Enforcement actions
- Removals & returns
2. Flow Reports
DHS Flow Reports
Includes:
- Refugee & asylee flow
- Visa overstays
- Enforcement flows
- Estimates of lawful/non-lawful populations
Use cases: academic papers, Congressional commentary, fact-checks.
USCIS Immigration & Citizenship Data
USCIS is the best source for domestic immigration application data.
1. Quarterly & Annual Data
Includes:
- Applications received/approved/denied
- RFEs issued
- Form-level data (I-130, I-485, I-751, N-400, H-1B, etc.)
Perfect for understanding backlogs and policy shifts.
2. USCIS Processing Times
Shows how long USCIS is taking on:
- Marriage green cards
- Employment visas
- Naturalization
- Humanitarian applications
3. Historic Processing Time Data
Historic Data Tool
Helps identify long-term trends.
DOS / State Department Visa Statistics
Most immigration begins outside the U.S., making DOS data essential.
Visa Statistics Portal
Includes:
- Immigrant visa issuance
- Nonimmigrant visa issuance
- Refusal rates
- Country-level patterns
- K-1, H-1B, F-1, B-1/B-2 breakdowns
FY Visa Data Tables
Refusals by Country
Use this to verify viral claims about student visa denials.
DOL (Foreign Labor Certification Data)
DOL is the backbone of employment-based immigration statistics.
1. PERM Disclosure Data
Shows:
- Pending, approved, denied PERMs
- Industries & wage levels
- Employer patterns
2. H-1B Labor Condition Application (LCA) Data
Use it for wage level reporting and tech workforce analysis.
CDC Data on Immigration-Related Health Trends
Refugee Health Profiles
Includes:
- TB screening
- Immunization compliance
- Refugee health risks
Often referenced during public health debates.
FBI / Justice System Data
FBI Crime Data Explorer
Important to contextualize:
- Crime trends
- Local vs. national crime statistics
- Debunking claims linking immigration and crime
Bureau of Justice Statistics
BJS Data
Complements FBI datasets.
Independent Data Hubs
Migration Policy Institute
American Immigration Council
Pew Research Center
These organizations translate government tables into journalist-ready charts.
Avoiding Common Data Mistakes
Most viral immigration charts online are wrong.
A data-literate reader should avoid:
1. Confusing “Encounters” with “Individuals”
The same person may be counted multiple times.
2. Using Fiscal Year vs. Calendar Year Incorrectly
DHS, DOS, TRAC, and USCIS often use different time bases.
3. Mixing Admissions, Approvals, and Issuances
They measure different things.
4. Using Outdated DHS Yearbook Data
Yearbook tables often lag by one year.
5. Ignoring Nationality vs. Country of Birth
They differ in many datasets.
When Data Isn’t Enough — Talk to an Immigration Attorney
While data can explain trends, it cannot determine what will happen in a specific case.
Marriage green card delays, H-1B denials, waivers, asylum cases—each has individualized legal complexity.
To discuss how this data applies to:
- A specific case
- A newsroom investigation
- A research report
- A policy brief
You can book a consultation with an experienced immigration lawyer.
Resource Directory
TRAC
DHS
USCIS
DOS
DOL
CDC
FBI / DOJ
Independent
FAQ
Q: What is the single best source for immigration court data?
A: TRAC Immigration provides the most current, FOIA-based data.
Q: Where can I find visa refusal rates?
A: DOS refusal statistics.
Q: Where do I find asylum grant rates?
A: TRAC’s Asylum Decisions tool.
Q: Where can I check marriage green card wait times?
A: USCIS Processing Times.
Q: Where can I get undocumented population estimates?
A: DHS Flow Reports and independent think tanks such as MPI and Pew.
Q: Where can I find H-1B wage data?
A: DOL Foreign Labor Data.
Q: How do I verify viral immigration charts?
A: Cross-check TRAC, DHS, DOS, and USCIS datasets.
Q: Can I talk to a lawyer for case interpretation?
A: Yes. You can book a consultation.
More Resources:
The 50 Most Important Immigration Data Sources for 2026 (Free, Public & Trusted)
