By John Ikani
Nigerians topped the list of African countries receiving the most US green cards in 2023. This is according to data from the Department of Homeland Security.
A green card, or lawful permanent resident (LPR) status, grants foreigners the right to live permanently in the United States. It’s a stepping stone to US citizenship for those who meet the necessary requirements.
The Office of Homeland Security Statistics (OHSS) revealed that nearly 1.2 million people were granted green cards last year. Most of these new LPRs, about 52%, were already living in the US.
Family ties were the primary reason for obtaining LPR status, with 64% of new LPRs having a family member who was a US citizen or green card holder.
Mexico, Cuba, and India topped the list of countries of birth for new LPRs.
Africa accounted for 35.7% of the total new green card holders, with 418,930 recipients. Nigeria was the only African nation among the top 20 countries with the most green cards granted.
California was the most popular state for immigrants, welcoming 205,040 new arrivals. Florida was second, followed by New York, Texas, and New Jersey.
The median age of new LPRs was 35. The number of older LPRs aged 65 and over increased by 62% compared to 2022. Women were more likely to receive green cards than men, and married applicants were the most successful.
The US Census Bureau reports that 13.7% of the US population is Black or African American.
