Asian Arrivals Fuel Immigration Increase

In a sign that the U.S. economy is recovering, immigrant numbers increased sharply last year

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Rich Pedroncelli / AP

An American flag waves as newly sworn in citizens leave the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium following naturalization ceremonies on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2013 in Sacramento, Calif.

After immigration to the U.S. plunged during the two years of economic recession from 2007 to 2009, foreigners are flocking back to America once again with Asians leading the way.

(MORE: Zuckerberg to Meet with Republicans on Immigration)

According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, the foreign-born population of the U.S. rose by approximately 447,000 people last year, which includes a “jump in the nation’s foreign-born Asian population of more than 309,000.” An increasing proportion of newly arrived Asians reportedly possess academic degrees and have higher income expectations — hinting that there might be a larger demand for high-skilled workers in America’s recovering economy.

In 2012, domestic migration was also on the rise with 17 million people relocating across the country — the highest level in five years.

[WSJ]