This Issue: CIS reports huge spike in foreign-born population ... Possible immigration impacts from Russia's invasion of Ukraine

CIS' Director of Research Steve Camarota released analysis of recent Census Bureau data and reports that the foreign-born population in the United States grew by 1.6 million last year, bringing the total population to a record 46.6 million people.

This means that one in every seven people living in the United States is foreign-born.

You can read more on Steve's report here, and you can read the full report here.

One of the report's key findings is that the foreign-born population dropped by more than 1 million people in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But it quickly rebounded to an all-time high in 2021.

"The enormous number of people now settling in the country reflects both our permissive legal immigration system and the decision not to control illegal immigration. Unfortunately, our national leaders seldom, if ever, ask the most important question: is this historic growth in the interest of the American people?"

-- Steve Camarota

The Census Bureau data also reveal that the foreign-born population currently accounts for 14.2% of the total U.S. population -- the highest level since the Great Wave of immigration in the late 1800s and early 1900s. If current, historically high immigration numbers are not reduced, Camarota speculates that the share of the foreign-born population will exceed its all-time high of 14.8% achieved in 1890.

EARLY CALLS FOR PROTECTIONS FOR UKRAINE CITIZENS

After Russia's invasion of Ukraine earlier this week, there are already calls on Pres. Biden to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ukraine citizens currently in the United States.

Under TPS, foreign citizens would not have to return to their home country in the event of a military uprising or natural disaster, regardless of their immigration status, and could receive a work permit.

The Russian invasion would be a prime example of an appropriate use of TPS, however, as we've learned over the years, the current TPS program is anything but "temporary".

Currently, citizens from 12 countries have been offered Temporary Protected Status, including El Salvador which dates back to 2001 and Sudan which dates back to 1997. Attempts by the Trump Administration to end long-standing TPS designations have been shut down by the courts in recent years.

CONGRESS BACK NEXT WEEK

After a week-long recess, Congress returns to Washington next week where most of their focus will turn to passing a spending bill before government funding expires in two weeks.

Be on the lookout for action alerts should we learn of any immigration provisions -- good or bad -- that may be included in the spending bill.

CHRIS Chmielenski NumbersUSA Deputy Director