Additional Coverage:
A new Pew Research Center report reveals a record high number of unauthorized immigrants in the United States, reaching 14 million in 2023. This figure represents a substantial increase of 3.5 million in just two years, the largest two-year growth on record. The surge follows the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent shifts in U.S. immigration policy, including increased lawful admissions and border encounters.
Approximately 6 million of these individuals have temporary protection from deportation, often due to factors like victimization in violent crimes. However, these protections can be revoked by the federal government.
The term “unauthorized immigrant” encompasses a broad range of situations, including those who entered the country illegally and those with impermanent legal statuses. It excludes lawful permanent residents, refugees, asylees, and individuals with specific temporary visas (such as students and guest workers).
Unauthorized immigrants now represent 27% of the total immigrant population in the U.S., up from 22% in 2021, and comprise 4.1% of the overall U.S. population, compared to 3.1% in 2021. The increase in those with temporary protections is partly attributed to policy changes under the Biden administration.
California, Texas, and Florida lead the nation with the highest unauthorized immigrant populations, at 2.3 million, 2.1 million, and 1.6 million, respectively. New York, New Jersey, and Illinois follow with populations exceeding half a million each.
While these states have historically held the top spots, the gap between California and Texas has narrowed significantly since 2007. Between 2021 and 2023, 32 states saw growth in their unauthorized immigrant populations, with Florida experiencing the largest increase (700,000), followed by Texas (450,000) and California (425,000).
The report’s data is current through 2023, the latest year for which information is available.