There are 28.4 million immigrants living in the U.S., according to the Census Bureau's 2000 Population Survey. That's triple the number counted in 1970 and the most ever recorded. Immigrants in California make up 31% of the total immigrant population in the nation. Two-thirds of U.S. immigrants live in these five states:

1. California 8.8 million immigrants

2. New York 3.6 million

3. Florida 2.8 million

4. Texas 2.4 million

5. New Jersey 1.2 million

Source: Center for Immigration Studies

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March 23, 2001 World Report