Note: These data represent persons admitted for legal permanent residence during the 12-month fiscal year ending September 30 of the year designated. The total for 1976 includes both the fiscal year and transitional quarter data.

Source: Department of Homeland Security, Office of Immigration Statistics, Yearbook of Immigration Statistics 2008. Available at http://www.dhs.gov/ximgtn/statistics/publications/LPR08.shtm.

Further reading:
Legal Immigration to the United States
By Jeanne Batalova
More than 1.1 million persons became legal permanent residents (LPRs) in the United States in 2008. Nearly two-thirds of new LPRs were immigrants with family ties in the United States. The top five countries of birth Ñ Mexico, China, India, the Philippines, and Cuba Ñ accounted for 39.5 percent of all persons who received LPR status in 2008. California, New York, Florida, Texas, New Jersey, and Illinois were the key destinations for LPRs in 2008.

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