The number of immigrants who were admitted for lawful permanent residence in the U.S. in 2003 was 705,827. In recent years, including 2003, the number of immigrants granted green card status has been affected by an application backlog at USCIS. At the end of fiscal year 2003, there were 1,200,000 adjustments of status cases pending a decision in USCIS offices.

The number of persons who obtained green cards declined to 705,827 in fiscal year 2003 from 1,063,732 in fiscal year 2002, due to more complex security checks affecting USCIS processing. The main source countries for legal immigrants in 2003 were again: Mexico - 115,864, India - 50,372, the Philippines - 45,397, China - 40,659, and El Salvador - 28,296. These countries combined sent more than 40 percent of all immigrants in 2003.

The primary destination states for legal immigrants in 2003 were, as in recent years; California with 176,375 new arrivals, New York - 89,661, Texas - 53,592, Florida - 52,969, New Jersey - 40,818, and Illinois - 32,488.