Green Cards to Middle East Migrants Up 56 Percent Since 2001, Data Show

Monica Sanchez | May 26, 2016
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(Image via Subcommittee on Immigration and the National Interest)

Recent data published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reveal that the Lawful Permanent Residence status (green cards) given to migrants from the Middle East jumped nearly one-third from Fiscal Years 2013 to 2014. In FY 2014, the U.S. government awarded migrants from the Middle East 103,901 green cards, a 32 percent increase from the 78,917 it issued in FY 2013.

The data also reveals a 56 percent increase from the 66,415 the DHS issued in FY 2001.

In a span of five years, from Fiscal Years 2009 to 2013, the U.S. issued more than double the number of green cards to migrants from Muslim-majority countries than to immigrants from European Union (EU) countries.

The chart illustrates the data below, showing an estimated 680,000 green cards issued to migrants from Muslim-majority countries and an estimated 270,000 to EU countries. 

(Image via Subcommittee on Immigration and the National Interest)

“A green card entitles recipients to access federal benefits, lifetime residency, work authorization, and a direct route to becoming a U.S. citizen,” the Subcommittee on Immigration and the National Interest explains in a press release obtained by MRCTV. “Among those receiving green cards are individuals admitted to the U.S. as refugees, who must apply for adjustment to Lawful Permanent Resident (green card) status one year after admission. Refugees have immediate access to Federal welfare benefits, such as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, or food stamps), and Medicaid.”

“The most recent report from the Office of Refugee Resettlement indicates high welfare use by refugees from the Middle East, with 39 percent using TANF, 76 percent using Medicaid or RMA, and nearly 90 percent using food stamps,” the Senate subcommittee reports.

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton seeks to increase Syrian refugees from 10,000 to 65,000 if elected to the Oval, an increase of over 500 percent.

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