US Illegal Immigration Reaches Record High in 2023 Amid Policy Shifts
The US undocumented immigrant population reached a record 14 million in 2023, with the total immigrant population exceeding 53 million by January 2025.
Overview
The US undocumented immigrant population reached a record 14 million in 2023, a 19% increase from the prior year, according to Pew, CNN, and Washington Examiner reports.
The 2023 surge in illegal immigration was partly attributed to the Biden administration granting deportation protection, adding 3.5 million undocumented immigrants during that period.
California, Texas, and Florida were identified as the states with the largest populations of illegal immigrants in the US, reflecting significant concentrations nationwide.
The overall U.S. immigrant population, including legal and undocumented individuals, reached an unprecedented high of over 53 million by January 2025, the largest in the nation's history.
Despite these record highs, the undocumented immigrant population decreased by over 1 million between January and June 2025, influenced by policy changes under both Trump and Biden administrations.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover this story neutrally by presenting a comprehensive overview of the Pew report's findings on illegal immigration. They include diverse estimates from various political figures and research groups, providing context without endorsing any particular viewpoint. The reporting focuses on factual data and policy changes, attributing strong language to specific sources.
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FAQ
The rise was largely due to the Biden administration granting deportation protections, resulting in an increase of 3.5 million undocumented immigrants during that period, as well as new arrivals during Biden's term.
California, Texas, and Florida have the largest populations of undocumented immigrants, with significant concentrations nationwide.
The total immigrant population, including both legal and undocumented immigrants, reached a record high of over 53 million by January 2025, the largest in US history.
Despite record highs in 2023, the undocumented immigrant population declined by over 1 million from January to June 2025, influenced by policy changes from both the Trump and Biden administrations.
Estimates are based on surveys like the Census Bureau's American Community Survey and the Current Population Survey, but challenges include undercounts due to non-response and method differences, leading experts to caution that estimates have some uncertainty.
History
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