The Department of Homeland Security recently announced how many employment-based immigrants became lawful permanent residents in 2011. The chart below breaks down the immigrants into their priority classification (e.g. first through five priority). Additionally, the chart provides historical statistics for each of the five priority classifications for the last ten years.
Of note is the significant decrease in first priority workers (e.g. extraordinary abilities visa, outstanding professors and researchers, and multinational executives), and the relatively mild increase in the number of five priority applicants (investor visa applicants).
