Dominicans among top migrant groups arriving in Philadelphia, AP data shows

Dominicans were among the largest groups of migrants arriving in Philadelphia following crossings of the U.S.-Mexico border, according to an analysis by The Associated Press based on federal immigration records.

The data, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, covers about 4.5 million migrants released in the United States between October 2018 and July 2025 after crossing the southern border.

The records show where migrants said they planned to go, along with their nationality, age, gender and other information.

Philadelphia draws migrants from across the world

Philadelphia was among the U.S. cities that attracted migrants from a wide range of countries. At least 11 nationalities recorded 1,000 or more arrivals, led by Brazil, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Migrants from Venezuela and Russia were also among those arriving in significant numbers. The broader Philadelphia metropolitan area also received more than 1,000 migrants from Georgia.

The AP analysis found that the recent U.S. migration surge extended beyond traditional destinations such as New York and Miami, with migrants increasingly heading to smaller cities and communities across the country.

The data also highlights a major demographic shift in migration. Nearly six in 10 migrants released after crossing the southern border were women and children, compared with earlier periods when men represented the majority of arrivals.

The AP noted that the addresses provided by migrants were not always verified, meaning some may have moved elsewhere, left the country or been deported.

Overall, the records offer a detailed picture of how the recent migration surge reshaped destinations across the United States, including communities with growing Dominican populations.