Which is the largest category of authorized immigrants to the United States?

The largest category of authorized immigrants to the United States is indeed families of people already in the U.S. This family reunification policy reflects a significant aspect of U.S. immigration law, prioritizing the unification of families by allowing U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to sponsor their relatives for immigration. This category encompasses spouses, children, parents, and siblings of citizens and permanent residents, which results in a substantial number of immigrants entering the country each year.

While individuals with specialized skills, refugees seeking asylum, and employment-based visa recipients are also important categories of immigration, they do not collectively match the volume of family-based immigration. Employment-based visas primarily target skilled workers, which represent a smaller subset of overall immigration numbers, while asylum seekers, although vital for humanitarian reasons, also comprise a smaller portion of the total immigrant population. Family immigration thus represents a critical pathway, emphasizing the importance the U.S. places on family connections in its immigration system.