Guide to International Migration Statistics: The Sources, Collection, and Processing of Foreign-Born Population Data at the U.S. Census Bureau. Population Division Working Paper No. 68

摘要

In the United States, federal statistics on international migration are produced primarily by the U.S. Census Bureau, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), and the U.S. Department of State. The Census Bureau collects these data through its decennial censuses and numerous surveys of the U.S. population. The INS collects international migration data from several administrative records such as the Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration (OF-155, U.S. State Department) for new arrivals, and the Memorandum of Creation of Record of Lawful Permanent Residence (I-181, INS) for persons adjusting immigrant status. The Census Bureau defines the foreign-born population as 'people who are not U.S. citizens at birth.' This guide is an attempt to inform the user community of the variety of data sources on the foreign-born population and international migration available from the U.S. Census Bureau. It is also an attempt to provide a behind the scenes view of the processing that takes place, affecting the data released to the public. Information about the foreign born is available from a variety of sources including: decennial censuses, current surveys, and demographic estimates based on administrative sources.