How many legal immigrants arrived in America in 2007?

It depends on what one means by "immigrants". There are many different categories under the Immigration law, most of which do not give the beneficiary any rights to remain in the United States permanently but only some form of temporary residency (e.g. temporary workers, visitors, students, etc.). Likewise, individuals obtaining "citizenship" would also be excluded from this number since an individual must have already immigrated to the United States to qualify for citizenship and, as such, they would not be considered a "new" immigrant.

Short Answer:In 2009, only 1,130,818 new immigrants came to the United States.

As of 2009 a total of 12,450,000 Legal Permanent Residents were living in the United States and 743,715 Naturalized to become United States Citizens.

Detailed Answer:Permanent ResidentsWith respect to individuals obtaining Permanent Residency (commonly termed obtaining one's "Green Card") in the United States for the first time (not renewals) only 1,130,818 were admitted for 2009, up slightly from the 1,107,126 in 2008 and down from the all-time high of 1,826,595 in 1991. These figures include both New Arrivals and individuals who entered legally on a non-immigrant visa and were permitted by USCIS to "Adjust Status". (Source: Department of Homeland Security, "Persons Obtaining Legal Permanent Resident Status: Fiscal Years 1870 to 2009 and Yearbook).

Total NEW Permanent Residents in the United States

• 2009: 1,130,818 total (463,042 New Arrivals | 667,776 Adj. of Status)
• 2008: 1,107,126 total (466,558 New Arrivals | 640,568 Adj. of Status)
• 2007: 1,052,415 total (431,368 New Arrivals | 621,047 Adj. of Status)

Total Permanent Resident Population PRESENT in the United States

The total legal permanent resident population in the United States has actually declined from 2008 as there has been a significant decrease in the number of legal permanent residents eligible to naturalize (become citizens).

• 2009: 12,450,000 total (7,870,000 eligible to naturalize)
• 2008: 12,600,000 total (8,160,000 eligible to naturalize)
• 2007: 12,440,000 total (8,130,000 eligible to naturalize)

Other key immigration statistics include the following:

Total Naturalizations (w/top 3 countries of origin)

(individuals becoming American Citizens after meeting the legal requirements and residency requirements to apply)

• 743,715 (2009) Mexico (15%) / India (7.1%) / Philippines (5.2%)
• 1,046,539 (2008) Mexico (22%) / India (6.3%) / Philippines (5.6%)
• 660,477 (2007) Mexico (18.5%) / India (7.1%) / Philippines (5.9%)

Total Non-Immigrant Admissions

(individuals not entitled to remain in the United States):

• 36,231,554 (2009)
• 39,381,928 (2008)
• 37,149,651 (2007)

Estimated "Unauthorized" Immigrants PRESENT in the United States

(this includes any and all individuals who were PRESENT in the United States legally and overstayed visas - intentionally or unintentionally - and have remained due to the severe ban on reentry imposed by even nominal overstays in the United States)

• 10,800,000 (2009)
• 11,600,000 (2008)
• 11,800,000 (2007)

Refugees (w/top 3 sources)

(individuals granted entry into the United States as Refugees in accordance to the 1980 Refugee Act and the United State's obligations under International Law).

• 74,602 (2009) Iraq (25.3%) / Burma (24.4%) / Bhutan (18%)
• 60,107 (2008) Burma (30.2%) / Iraq (23%) / Bhutan (8.9%)
• 48,218 (2007) Burma (28.8%) / Somalia (14.5%) / Iran (11.4%)

Source: DHS Yearbook of Immigration Statistics, found at: http://www.dhs.gov/files/statistics/publications/yearbook.shtm