Undocumented immigrant population in the US hits record high of 14 million

In 2023, the undocumented immigrant population in the United States reached an unprecedented 14 million, marking a 19% increase from the previous year according to estimates by the Pew Research Center. This surge is primarily attributed to protected groups such as asylum seekers and those released by US Customs and Border Protection pending court appearances, who together constituted over 40% of the total undocumented population. Immigration policy modifications implemented during President Joe Biden's administration allowed significant numbers of immigrants to gain protection from deportation. Despite the rise in unauthorized immigrants which included both those who entered the country illegally and those overstaying visas, the new administration initiated a stark contrast against the previous administration's efforts. While Trump’s policy approach focused on strict immigration controls and deportation measures, Biden's policies have provided a more lenient pathway for asylum applicants and vulnerable groups. In particular, it has been noted that 6 million undocumented individuals benefitted from some form of deportation protection, including victims of violent crime or those with temporary status. A smaller segment of this population consists of anthropologically recognized conditions such as humanitarian claims, showing that many of these individuals were fleeing various forms of persecution in their countries of origin. While comprehensive data after 2023 is presently unavailable, estimates from Pew suggest that there may be a slowdown or decline in the undocumented population post-2025, partly due to the reversal of protective policies by future administrations. The statistics represent a demographic shift within the United States, suggesting that unauthorized immigrants now account for approximately 4.1% of the total US population in 2023, up from 3.1% just two years prior. California, Texas, Florida, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois are noted as housing over half of the unauthorized immigrant population, indicating a concentration of immigrant communities in these states. Furthermore, the report identified increases in undocumented immigrants from various regions, especially South and Central America, evidencing a shift in migration patterns coinciding with broader global issues, including economic instability and violence, provoking greater migration towards the US.