This percentage was 0.1 per cent less than the 44,859 Indians who immigrated to the US in 1996, it said in its latest report, disclosing that India was fifth in the list of 20 nations, from which legal immigration took place in 1997. In 1995, the percentage of Indians who legally immigrated to the US was also 4.8 per cent, but they numbered 34,748, while in 1994, the percentage was 4.3 or 34,921.

Mexico occupied the number one spot as the largest single source country for US immigrants, accounting for 18 per cent or 146,865 immigrants.

In second place was the Philippines with 6.2 per cent (49,117), third was China with 5.2 per cent (41,147) and in fourth place was Vietnam with 4.8 per cent (38,519). Following India were Cuba with 4.2 per cent (33,597); the Dominican Republic with 3.4 per cent (27,053); El Salvador with 2.3 per cent(17,969); Jamaica with 2.2 per cent (17,840); and Russia with 2.1 per cent (16,632). The only other South Asian country in the top 20 was Pakistan, which was in the 15th place with 1.6 per cent (12,967).

In 1996, legal immigrants from Pakistan constituted 1.4 per cent (12,519); in 1995, 1.4 per cent (9,774); and in 1994, 1.1 per cent (8,698). According to INS, the major categories of immigrants in 1997 were: family preferences (213,331), employment preferences (90,607), immediate relatives of US citizens (322,440), and refugees and asylum seekers (112,158).

The agency said that the 1997 total of 798,378 was a 13 per cent decrease from fiscal year 1996's total of 915,900. However, this decrease was not evidence of a decline in the demand to immigrate. It estimated that total immigration for the period 1995-1997 would have been higher by 350,000-450,000 were it not for a large volume of pending adjustment of status applications that had created longer wait times for immigrant approvals.

The agency saidthat because of Mexico's contribution as the largest single source country for US immigration in 1997, North America was the largest geographic source with 39 per cent, followed by Asia with 33 per cent and Europe with 15 per cent.

The top states of intended residence for new immigrants in 1997 were California, New York, Florida, Texas, New Jersey and Illinois, the trend since 1971.