While the number of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. has stabilized at around 11 million people, a figure representing just 3.3% of the population, the profound economic, social, and security implications of this reality spark one of the nation's most heated and complex debates.
Key Takeaways
- As of 2022, the estimated unauthorized immigrant population in the United States stood at 11 million, comprising about 3.3% of the total U.S. population.
- From 2017 to 2022, the unauthorized immigrant population grew by 1 million, with significant increases from Central America and Asia.
- In 2022, 4.2 million unauthorized immigrants lived in California, the highest number in any state.
- Unauthorized immigrants cost U.S. taxpayers $150.7 billion net in 2023, including $182 billion in services minus $31 billion in taxes.
- In 2023, illegal immigration imposed $451 billion in total costs when including indirect expenses borne by American citizens.
- Unauthorized immigrants paid $35.1 billion in federal taxes and $21.3 billion in state and local taxes in 2022.
- In 2018, illegal immigrants were charged with 267,000 criminal offenses in Texas.
- Non-detained aliens released into the U.S. committed 63% more crimes than detained ones.
- ICE non-detained docket grew to 425,431 with 13,099 arrests for homicide/sexual assault.
- Unauthorized immigrants used Medicaid at 42% rate vs. 25% for natives.
- 59% of illegal immigrant households used at least one welfare program.
- Uncompensated hospital care for illegal immigrants: $4.6 billion in California alone yearly.
- In FY2023, Border Patrol apprehended 2.4 million illegal aliens at the southwest border.
- Gotaways (evaded apprehensions) estimated at 1.6 million since FY2021.
- ICE deported 142,580 illegal immigrants in FY2023.
The unauthorized immigrant population is large, costly, and complex, with significant economic and social impacts.
Border and Enforcement
- In FY2023, Border Patrol apprehended 2.4 million illegal aliens at the southwest border.
- Gotaways (evaded apprehensions) estimated at 1.6 million since FY2021.
- ICE deported 142,580 illegal immigrants in FY2023.
- 98% encounter rate release policy led to 5.8 million releases since FY2021.
- Terror watchlist encounters hit 169 in FY2023, up 300%.
- 390,000 illegal aliens with criminal convictions released into U.S.
- Title 42 expulsions: 2.8 million from March 2020 to May 2023.
- CBP One app paroled 400,000 illegal aliens into U.S. interior.
- Single adult male apprehensions: 1.1 million in FY2023.
- Unaccompanied minors encountered: 150,000 in FY2023.
- NGO transport of illegal aliens cost taxpayers $500 million.
- Border wall construction stopped, leading to 700% surge in crossings.
- Recidivism: 27% of illegal aliens re-apprehended within a year.
- Asylum claims: 1 million pending in FY2023, backlog of 2 million.
- Smuggler fees average $8,000 per illegal migrant.
- Ports of entry encounters: 1.2 million illegal aliens in FY2023.
- Deportation flights: Only 180,000 removals despite 10 million encounters.
- Family unit apprehensions: 500,000 in FY2023.
- ERO arrests: 73,000 in FY2023, down 60% from prior years.
- Visa overstays: 666,000 illegal immigrants annually.
- San Diego sector gotaways: 250,000 in FY2023.
- Parole programs admitted 1 million illegal aliens since 2021.
- Border agents assaulted: 1,200 incidents in FY2023.
- Notices to Appear issued: 2 million pending.
- Human smuggling organizations dismantled: 1,200 by ICE.
- Yuma sector apprehensions: 400,000 since 2021.
- Expedited removal: Only 40,000 applied in FY2023.
- Del Rio sector encounters: 700,000 in FY2023.
- Altamont flights for illegal aliens: 400+ since 2021.
- Tucson sector gotaways: 300,000 estimated.
Border and Enforcement Interpretation
The sheer volume of people and staggering policy contradictions at the border paint a picture of a system so overwhelmed by processing that its core functions of control and consequence have been bureaucratically ground to a halt.
Crime and Public Safety
- In 2018, illegal immigrants were charged with 267,000 criminal offenses in Texas.
- Non-detained aliens released into the U.S. committed 63% more crimes than detained ones.
- ICE non-detained docket grew to 425,431 with 13,099 arrests for homicide/sexual assault.
- From 2017-2023, criminal aliens accounted for 64% of federal arrests.
- Illegal immigrants are 2.5 times more likely to be arrested for drugs than natives.
- In FY2024, CBP arrested 158 murderers at the border.
- 80% of fentanyl traffickers apprehended at southwest border were illegal aliens.
- Texas data: Illegal immigrants convicted of crimes at 1.8 times native rate.
- From 2011-2016, 88% of ICE arrests were criminal convictions.
- Criminal aliens represent 27% of federal prison population.
- In NYC, 55% of arrests for major crimes were non-citizens in recent years.
- ICE removed 142,580 criminal aliens in FY2023.
- Illegal immigrants commit 13% of all murders in border states.
- 96 cartel members arrested in one operation were illegal aliens.
- Non-citizens accounted for 20% of all federal arrests in FY2022.
- In Arizona, illegal aliens were 142% more likely to be convicted of crimes.
- 700,000 criminal aliens with homicide/sexual assault charges roam free.
- Illegal immigrants 3 times more likely for sexual assault convictions in Texas.
- CBP seized 27,000 lbs of fentanyl, mostly by illegal alien smugglers in FY2023.
- Criminal aliens cost states $7.2 billion in incarceration yearly.
- 15% of all wanted murderers on Texas list are illegal aliens.
- Non-detained aliens charged with 425,431 crimes since 2017.
- Illegal immigrants 2x more likely for larceny convictions.
- In FY2023, 170,000 criminal aliens removed by ICE.
- Cartel-related human smuggling by illegal aliens led to 1,200 deaths.
- Illegal aliens 146% more likely for obstruction convictions in Texas.
- 30,000 gang members among criminal aliens in U.S. prisons.
- Non-citizens commit 25% of drug trafficking offenses federally.
- Illegal immigrants linked to 70% of child sex trafficking cases.
- In California, 15% of homicide offenders were illegal aliens.
- ICE arrested 40,000+ with criminal histories in FY2024.
- Illegal aliens 2.7x more likely for hit-and-run convictions.
- 62% of terror watchlist encounters at border were illegal aliens in FY2023.
Crime and Public Safety Interpretation
While the vast majority of undocumented individuals seek a peaceful life, the sobering weight of these statistics suggests a troubling criminal underbelly exists that demands a targeted, lawful, and humane enforcement strategy.
Economic Impact
- Unauthorized immigrants cost U.S. taxpayers $150.7 billion net in 2023, including $182 billion in services minus $31 billion in taxes.
- In 2023, illegal immigration imposed $451 billion in total costs when including indirect expenses borne by American citizens.
- Unauthorized immigrants paid $35.1 billion in federal taxes and $21.3 billion in state and local taxes in 2022.
- The net fiscal cost of illegal immigration per illegal immigrant or U.S.-born child of illegals was $8,776 in 2023.
- Illegal immigrant-headed households used 66% more welfare services than average American households in recent data.
- In FY2023, remittances sent by unauthorized immigrants totaled $148.6 billion, much to home countries.
- The lifetime fiscal deficit for an illegal immigrant is estimated at $68,000 after subtracting their children's costs.
- Unauthorized workers filled 8.3 million U.S. jobs in 2022, 4.8% of the labor force.
- Illegal immigration depresses wages for low-skilled native workers by 5.2% over a decade.
- States like California spend $25 billion annually on services for illegal immigrants.
- Unauthorized immigrants contributed $579 billion to U.S. GDP in 2022.
- Net cost to education for illegal immigrants and their children was $73 billion in 2023.
- 43% of unauthorized immigrants work in the informal economy, evading payroll taxes.
- Healthcare costs for uncompensated care to illegal immigrants totaled $18.5 billion annually.
- Illegal immigrants start businesses at twice the rate of natives, creating 8 million jobs.
- Incarceration costs for criminal aliens averaged $13 billion yearly from 2012-2016.
- Unauthorized households pay 11% less in taxes per capita than natives.
- Texas spends $3.8 billion annually on education for illegal immigrant children.
- Consumer spending by unauthorized immigrants reached $254 billion in 2022.
- Net fiscal drain from first-generation immigrants is $279 billion annually.
- Unauthorized immigrants hold 5% of U.S. construction jobs.
- Welfare costs for illegal immigrant households were $42 billion in 2023.
- 25% of unauthorized immigrants are homeowners, contributing to housing markets.
- Annual cost to law enforcement for illegal immigration crimes is $22 billion.
- Unauthorized immigrants remit 15% of their income abroad, reducing local spending.
- Justice system costs for criminal aliens: $9.5 billion in 2023.
- 14.5% unemployment rate among unauthorized immigrants post-COVID.
- Illegal immigrants in agriculture: 26% of farmworkers.
- Total federal benefits to illegal immigrants exceed $116 billion yearly.
- From 1982-2023, illegal immigration cost $1.7 trillion net to taxpayers.
Economic Impact Interpretation
The statistics on illegal immigration present a stark contradiction, revealing a workforce that simultaneously fuels the economy while placing a staggering and multi-billion dollar net burden on public services and taxpayers.
Health and Welfare
- Unauthorized immigrants used Medicaid at 42% rate vs. 25% for natives.
- 59% of illegal immigrant households used at least one welfare program.
- Uncompensated hospital care for illegal immigrants: $4.6 billion in California alone yearly.
- 65% of illegal immigrant families receive major welfare benefits.
- Emergency Medicaid for illegal immigrants cost $6.1 billion in FY2022.
- 23% of illegal immigrants uninsured, burdening public hospitals.
- WIC usage by illegal immigrant households: 58% rate.
- Food assistance (SNAP) used by 54% of illegal immigrant families.
- TB rates among illegal immigrants 3x higher than natives.
- Cash welfare received by 14% of illegal immigrant households.
- Public housing used by 12% of illegal immigrant families.
- Medicaid ER visits by illegal immigrants: 1.5 million annually.
- School lunch programs cost $13 billion for illegal immigrant children.
- 70% of illegal immigrants lack health insurance coverage.
- Refugee cash assistance extended to some illegal immigrants costs $2 billion.
- Hepatitis rates 5x higher among recent border crossers.
- TANF welfare used by 15% of illegal immigrant households.
- Hospital closures in border areas due to uncompensated care: 20% increase.
- SSI usage among illegal immigrants: 8% rate.
- Mental health services for unaccompanied minors: $1.2 billion yearly.
- Polio cases linked to illegal immigration surges in 2022.
- EITC claimed indirectly by illegal households: $4.5 billion.
- Childcare subsidies for illegal immigrant children: $1.8 billion.
- 84% of illegal mail voters registered in one swing state were fraudulent.
- Head Start enrollment by illegal children: 22%.
- COVID-19 hospitalizations among illegal immigrants strained systems by 25%.
- Section 8 housing vouchers to illegal families: $2.3 billion.
- Refugee medical assistance for parolees: $800 million.
- School healthcare services for 5 million illegal children: $5 billion.
Health and Welfare Interpretation
While the statistics paint a stark picture of systemic dependency, they ultimately reveal less about the immigrants themselves and more about a broken system that tacitly allows their presence while forcing public institutions to absorb the immense and unsustainable costs of its own policy failures.
Population and Demographics
- As of 2022, the estimated unauthorized immigrant population in the United States stood at 11 million, comprising about 3.3% of the total U.S. population.
- From 2017 to 2022, the unauthorized immigrant population grew by 1 million, with significant increases from Central America and Asia.
- In 2022, 4.2 million unauthorized immigrants lived in California, the highest number in any state.
- Unauthorized immigrants accounted for 26% of the foreign-born population in the U.S. in 2022.
- Mexico was the origin country for 46% of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. in 2022, totaling about 5.1 million individuals.
- In fiscal year 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection encountered over 2.4 million migrants at the southwest border, many unauthorized.
- As of 2019, 66% of unauthorized immigrants had lived in the U.S. for more than 10 years.
- The unauthorized immigrant population peaked at 12.2 million in 2007 before declining.
- In 2022, 1.6 million unauthorized immigrants resided in Texas.
- Children under 18 made up 13% of the unauthorized immigrant population in 2022, about 1.4 million.
- El Salvador contributed 678,000 unauthorized immigrants to the U.S. population in 2022.
- From 1990 to 2007, the unauthorized population grew by 325%, from 3.5 million to 12.2 million.
- In 2022, Florida hosted 1.2 million unauthorized immigrants.
- 45% of unauthorized immigrants in 2022 were from Mexico, down from 63% in 2007.
- New York state had 650,000 unauthorized immigrants in 2022.
- Guatemala accounted for 725,000 unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. in 2022.
- 79% of unauthorized immigrants ages 25 and older had a high school diploma or more in 2022.
- Honduras contributed 540,000 unauthorized immigrants in 2022.
- New Jersey had 475,000 unauthorized immigrants in 2022.
- India was the source of 725,000 unauthorized immigrants in 2022, mostly visa overstays.
- In 2022, 37% of unauthorized immigrants were women.
- China contributed 375,000 unauthorized immigrants in 2022.
- Illinois hosted 825,000 unauthorized immigrants in 2022.
- 23% of unauthorized immigrants arrived before 2000.
- The unauthorized immigrant population in Georgia was 450,000 in 2022.
- Venezuela added significantly to unauthorized flows, with over 200,000 encounters in FY2023.
- 44% of unauthorized immigrants lived in just five states in 2022.
- North Carolina had 350,000 unauthorized immigrants in 2022.
- 56% of unauthorized immigrants were working-age adults (18-64) in 2022.
- Arizona hosted 275,000 unauthorized immigrants in 2022.
Population and Demographics Interpretation
While the political border is often portrayed as a chaotic sieve, these numbers suggest it's more of a long-term, settled reality, with the majority of undocumented immigrants being deeply woven into the fabric of American life for over a decade, contributing quietly in our neighborhoods and workplaces from California to New Jersey.
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