Family, Work, and Freedom: Reasons Immigrants are Legally Admitted to the United States

U.S. Immigration policy is based on three primary principles:

• Family: Every year, approximately 67-70% of immigrants come to be reunited with close family members.
• Work: Approximately 12-15% of immigrants come at the invitation of U.S. employers to fill positions for which there are a shortage of U.S. workers.
• Freedom: Approximately 12-15% of immigrants come as refugees escaping persecution.

Source: Office of Immigration Statistics, 2004.