The process of exempt immediate relative immigration to the United States

"To examine the chain migration issue [in the United States], this article develops and analyzes a new data base that links information on a sample of exempt immediate relative immigrants in Fiscal Year 1985 with information on the characteristics of their petitioners or sponsors. The analysis generally does not indicate that an explosive increase in future chain migration of exempt immediate relative immigrants is likely in the next ten years." Exempt immediate relative immigrants are defined as those who are exempt from numerical limitations because of their relationship with a U.S. citizen. Data are from the U.S. General Accounting Office.