In 2023, 14 percent of the people living in the U.S. was not born in the U.S. Each year, many immigrants move to the U.S. and work as temporary or permanent residents. Over time, some may apply to become U.S. citizens. But the U.S. government limits who can apply to be legal residents. As a result, many immigrants come to the U.S. in search of better jobs and opportunities without legal status to work. These undocumented immigrants face a compound problem. They must adapt to a strange new culture, and they must not reveal that they are living in the country illegally. They are also excluded from opportunities that help other immigrants orient themselves in the U.S. Amnesty would grant them legal status and open up opportunities. But some worry granting amnesty now would just lead to more illegal immigration from those hoping for amnesty in the future. 

Option 1: 

According to the Pew Research Center, the foreign-born population living in the U.S. was 47.8 million in 2023. Of the nation’s 47.8 million immigrants, 36.9 million were “lawful” immigrants, which include naturalized citizens, lawful permanent residents, and temporary lawful residents. What percentage of the foreign-born population was lawful immigrants? 

A)  .772%

B)  10.9%

C)  36.9%

D)  77.2%

Option 2: 

According to the Pew Research Center, undocumented immigrants made up about 3.3% of the nation’s population in 2023. If there were an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. in 2023, approximately how many people lived in the U.S. at that time?