Why are there so many Iranians in the US?

Iranian immigrants began arriving in the United States in the 1960s and 1970s. As the 1979 Iranian Revolution unfolded, large numbers of Iranians fled Iran. Many of them settled in Los Angeles. In November 1979, Iranians stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and seized hostages who were held for 444 days.

How many Iranians migrated to the US?

Between 1980 and 2000, the Iranian immigrant population more than doubled from 122,000 to 283,000. This population growth continued into the 21st century, albeit at a slower pace, with 385,000 Iranian immigrants living in the United States in 2019.

What percentage of Los Angeles is Iranian?

Iranian minorities are over represented in this population: almost 20 percent of the Los Angeles community identify as Armenian, Baha’i, Zoroastrian, or Jewish, while in Iran, these groups account for less than 2 percent of the total population.

Are Iranians allowed to leave their country?

Iranian citizens living in Iran can obtain an exit visa at the local passport office. The exit visa is stamped in their passport. Iranian citizens leaving Iran must go through two computerized check points at the airport terminal or other point of departure.

Which countries accept Iranian refugees?

The most destination countries hereof have been the United Kingdom, Germany and Turkey. The most successful have been the refugees in Canada and in Nauru. A total of 228 people fled to the United States from Iran. With 117 positive decisions, 68.82 percent of all new applications have been accepted.

Where do people from Iran migrate to?

According to mid-2019 estimates from the United Nations Population Division, the United States is the most popular destination for Iranians living abroad. Canada is home to the next largest Iranian population (164,000), followed by Germany (127,000), the United Kingdom (90,000), and Turkey (83,000).