Measurement of the temporary resident population in the United States: an update

Elizabeth M. Grieco, Office of Immigration Statistics
Nancy Rytina, Office of Immigration Statistics, DHS

This paper provides an update on data available from the Department of Homeland Security to estimate the temporary resident population living in the United States. The data will be discussed in the context of the 1998 Recommendations on Statistics of International Migration by the United Nations. The primary source of data on temporary residents continues to be the Nonimmigrant Information System (NIIS). Estimates from NIIS for 2003 are presented, noting limitations and shortcomings. The new Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) provides data on foreign students, exchange visitors and their dependents. The most recently available estimates from SEVIS will be presented. The United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) system under development is intended to track all foreign visitors entering and leaving the United States. Data collection plans for US-VISIT will also be discussed.