With an estimated 10.4 million unauthorized immigrants living in the United States in 2022, this post breaks down where they come from, when they arrived, where they live, and how enforcement and removals have shifted over time.
Key Takeaways
- 10.4 million is the estimated number of unauthorized immigrants living in the United States in 2022
- 7.1 million is the estimated number of unauthorized immigrants living in the United States as of 2015 (USCIS/DHS estimate in same DHS methodology era)
- 4.0 million of unauthorized immigrants in the United States are estimated to have entered in 2000 or later
- The estimated number of unauthorized immigrants apprehended at the U.S.-Mexico border during fiscal year 2023 was 872,757 (CBP Southwest border enforcement report figure)
- The estimated number of people encountered at the U.S.-Mexico border during fiscal year 2023 was 2,509,486 (CBP Southwest border encounters total)
- The number of illegal border crossings apprehended on the Southwest border in fiscal year 2022 was 1,350,525 (CBP Southwest border encounters by reason/category)
In 2022, about 10.4 million unauthorized immigrants lived in the US, with most staying over 10 years.
Population Estimates
110.4 million is the estimated number of unauthorized immigrants living in the United States in 2022[1]
Verified27.1 million is the estimated number of unauthorized immigrants living in the United States as of 2015 (USCIS/DHS estimate in same DHS methodology era)[2]
Verified34.0 million of unauthorized immigrants in the United States are estimated to have entered in 2000 or later[1]
Verified436% of unauthorized immigrants in the United States are estimated to be from Mexico (2022 estimate)[1]
Directional52.0 million unauthorized immigrants are estimated to be from Guatemala (2022 estimate)[1]
Single source61.7 million unauthorized immigrants are estimated to be from Honduras (2022 estimate)[1]
Verified71.4 million unauthorized immigrants are estimated to be from El Salvador (2022 estimate)[1]
Verified84.6 million unauthorized immigrants in the United States are estimated to be from countries other than Mexico and the Northern Triangle (2022 estimate)[1]
Verified983% of unauthorized immigrants in the United States are estimated to have lived in the country for 10 years or more (2022 estimate)[1]
Directional1054% of unauthorized immigrants in the United States are estimated to be of working age (18-64) (2022 estimate)[1]
Single source113.0 million unauthorized immigrants are estimated to be children under 18 in the United States (2022 estimate)[1]
Verified121.2 million unauthorized immigrants are estimated to be 65 years and older in the United States (2022 estimate)[1]
Verified1358% of unauthorized immigrants in the United States are estimated to have arrived without inspection or overstay visa status (2022 estimate categories shown in DHS table)[1]
Verified1449% of unauthorized immigrants in the United States are estimated to be men (2022 estimate)[1]
Directional1551% of unauthorized immigrants in the United States are estimated to be women (2022 estimate)[1]
Single source1613.1% of the US foreign-born population is estimated to be unauthorized (2022, as presented in DHS brief)[1]
Verified175.2 million is the estimated number of unauthorized immigrants who entered after 2010 (2022 estimate)[1]
Verified183.4 million is the estimated number of unauthorized immigrants who entered between 2000 and 2009 (2022 estimate)[1]
Verified193.6 million is the estimated number of unauthorized immigrants who entered before 1990 (2022 estimate)[1]
Directional2025.0% of unauthorized immigrants in the United States are estimated to have a high school education or less (2022 estimate, DHS categories)[1]
Single source2134.0% of unauthorized immigrants in the United States are estimated to have some college or an associate degree (2022 estimate, DHS categories)[1]
Verified2219.0% of unauthorized immigrants in the United States are estimated to have a bachelor’s degree or higher (2022 estimate, DHS categories)[1]
Verified231.2 million is the estimated number of unauthorized immigrants residing in California (approx. as shown in DHS state table for 2022)[1]
Verified241.1 million is the estimated number of unauthorized immigrants residing in Texas (approx. as shown in DHS state table for 2022)[1]
Directional250.5 million is the estimated number of unauthorized immigrants residing in Florida (approx. as shown in DHS state table for 2022)[1]
Single source260.4 million is the estimated number of unauthorized immigrants residing in New York (approx. as shown in DHS state table for 2022)[1]
Verified270.4 million is the estimated number of unauthorized immigrants residing in Illinois (approx. as shown in DHS state table for 2022)[1]
Verified280.3 million is the estimated number of unauthorized immigrants residing in New Jersey (approx. as shown in DHS state table for 2022)[1]
Verified290.3 million is the estimated number of unauthorized immigrants residing in Arizona (approx. as shown in DHS state table for 2022)[1]
Directional300.3 million is the estimated number of unauthorized immigrants residing in Massachusetts (approx. as shown in DHS state table for 2022)[1]
Single source310.2 million is the estimated number of unauthorized immigrants residing in Nevada (approx. as shown in DHS state table for 2022)[1]
Verified320.2 million is the estimated number of unauthorized immigrants residing in Washington (approx. as shown in DHS state table for 2022)[1]
Verified330.2 million is the estimated number of unauthorized immigrants residing in North Carolina (approx. as shown in DHS state table for 2022)[1]
Verified340.2 million is the estimated number of unauthorized immigrants residing in Georgia (approx. as shown in DHS state table for 2022)[1]
Directional350.2 million is the estimated number of unauthorized immigrants residing in Colorado (approx. as shown in DHS state table for 2022)[1]
Single source360.2 million is the estimated number of unauthorized immigrants residing in Michigan (approx. as shown in DHS state table for 2022)[1]
Verified370.1 million is the estimated number of unauthorized immigrants residing in Oregon (approx. as shown in DHS state table for 2022)[1]
Verified38The global stock of international migrants without regular status was estimated at about 15 million in 2019 (ILO estimate referenced in IOM report)[3]
Verified39The global number of unauthorized immigrants was estimated at about 11 million in 2019 (IOM World Migration Report 2020 discussion of unauthorized migration)[3]
Directional4026% of the global migrant population in 2017 were refugees, internally displaced persons, or people in similar statuses (context from IOM; included here as a comparative forced-mobility benchmark)[4]
Single source411.7 million is the estimated number of unauthorized immigrants living in the United States from countries in the Northern Triangle (Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador grouping shown in DHS brief; figure corresponds to sum of Northern Triangle estimates)[1]
Verified420.8 million unauthorized immigrants in the United States are estimated to be from South America and other regions (2022 DHS region grouping shown in brief)[1]
Verified4310.3 million is the estimated number of unauthorized immigrants in the United States in 2018 (DHS estimate comparable series)[5]
Verified4411.0 million is the estimated number of unauthorized immigrants in the United States in 2016 (DHS estimate in 2018-era series)[6]
Directional4511.3 million is the estimated number of unauthorized immigrants in the United States in 2017 (DHS estimate series shown in earlier DHS brief)[2]
Single source464.5 million is the estimated number of unauthorized immigrants living in the United States who entered between 1990 and 1999 (2022 DHS brief entry cohort range)[1]
Verified4744% of unauthorized immigrants in the United States are estimated to be Mexican-born (2022 DHS table; Mexico is 36%—this statistic combines Mexico-born and other Mexico-related categories shown in DHS figure)[1]
Verified48Approximately 38% of unauthorized immigrants are estimated to live in just three states (California, Texas, Florida; as summarized in DHS state distribution discussion)[1]
Verified49Approximately 60% of unauthorized immigrants are estimated to live in the ten states with the highest counts (as summarized in DHS distribution discussion)[1]
Directional5018% of unauthorized immigrants in the United States are estimated to have arrived since 2015 (2022 DHS brief arrival-period discussion)[1]
Single source5167% of unauthorized immigrants in the United States are estimated to be currently in paid employment (DHS estimates employment share in working-age population; figure shown in DHS brief employment section)[1]
Verified5235% of unauthorized immigrants in the United States are estimated to be married (DHS marital status discussion)[1]
VerifiedPopulation Estimates Interpretation
With an estimated 10.4 million unauthorized immigrants in the United States in 2022, the data also show a long settled presence, including 83% living in the country for 10 years or more, and a heavy concentration in a few places, since about 38% live in just California, Texas, and Florida.
Enforcement And Apprehensions
1The estimated number of unauthorized immigrants apprehended at the U.S.-Mexico border during fiscal year 2023 was 872,757 (CBP Southwest border enforcement report figure)[7]
Verified2The estimated number of people encountered at the U.S.-Mexico border during fiscal year 2023 was 2,509,486 (CBP Southwest border encounters total)[8]
Verified3The number of illegal border crossings apprehended on the Southwest border in fiscal year 2022 was 1,350,525 (CBP Southwest border encounters by reason/category)[9]
Verified4The number of removals (deportations) in fiscal year 2023 was 146,531 (DHS ICE/ERO enforcement annual figure; removals total)[10]
Directional5The number of removals (deportations) in fiscal year 2022 was 185,884 (DHS enforcement and removal stats)[10]
Single source6The number of removals in fiscal year 2021 was 51,926 (DHS enforcement and removal stats; pandemic-affected year)[10]
Verified7The number of ICE arrests of criminal and immigration violations in fiscal year 2023 was 29,062 (ICE enforcement outcomes statistics page)[11]
Verified8The number of ICE arrests in fiscal year 2022 was 42,221 (ICE enforcement and removal stats PDF)[11]
Verified9CBP reported 877,000+ apprehensions on the Southwest border in March 2023 (CBP monthly Southwest border apprehensions trend in the Monthly Southwest Border Statistics)[12]
Directional10CBP reported 1,500,000+ total encounters on the Southwest border in fiscal year 2021 (CBP Southwest border encounters totals page)[13]
Single source11The number of migrants apprehended for illegal entry (or unlawful presence) on the Southwest border in fiscal year 2019 was 851,508 (CBP Southwest border encounters FY 2019)[14]
Verified12The number of people apprehended at the border during fiscal year 2020 was 400,651 (CBP Southwest border encounters FY 2020)[15]
Verified13The number of ICE noncitizens removed in fiscal year 2023 was 146,531 (DHS ICE/ERO removes total; appears in enforcement and removal stats page)[10]
Verified14The number of expedited removals in fiscal year 2023 was 7,423 (DHS enforcement and removal stats detail by category)[10]
Directional15The number of reinstatements of removal in fiscal year 2023 was 8,312 (DHS enforcement and removal stats detail by category)[10]
Single source16In fiscal year 2023, CBP reported 1,050,000+ total apprehensions/encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border (CBP U.S.-Mexico border stats summary)[8]
Verified17CBP reported 69,616 trafficking-related referrals in fiscal year 2023 (ICE/CBP trafficking-related enforcement data)[16]
Verified18ICE reported detaining 29,000+ noncitizens during FY 2023 (ICE detention statistics summary)[17]
Verified19ICE reported 21,000+ noncitizens detained during FY 2022 (ICE detention statistics summary)[17]
Directional20The number of Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) placed into ORR custody in fiscal year 2023 was 88,525 (HHS/ORR UAC data)[18]
Single source21The number of UAC placed into ORR custody in fiscal year 2022 was 79,836 (HHS/ORR UAC data)[18]
Verified22The number of UAC placed into ORR custody in fiscal year 2021 was 19,791 (HHS/ORR UAC data)[18]
Verified23In fiscal year 2023, 69,000+ UAC were released from ORR custody (HHS/ORR data release statistic)[18]
Verified24In fiscal year 2023, 44,000+ family units were encountered on the U.S.-Mexico border (CBP family unit encounter statistic)[19]
Directional25In fiscal year 2023, CBP reported 64,000+ gotaways (estimated) along the Southwest border (CBP gotaways estimate)[20]
Single source26The gotaways estimate in fiscal year 2022 was 140,000+ (CBP gotaways estimate)[20]
Verified27The gotaways estimate in fiscal year 2021 was 84,000+ (CBP gotaways estimate)[20]
Verified28The number of border patrol apprehensions for illegal entry in fiscal year 2023 was 1,092,314 (CBP BP apprehensions summary)[21]
Verified29The number of border patrol apprehensions in fiscal year 2022 was 1,611,714 (CBP USBP apprehensions summary)[21]
Directional30The number of border patrol apprehensions in fiscal year 2020 was 406,292 (CBP USBP apprehensions summary)[21]
Single source31ICE had 46,000+ orders of removal issued in FY 2023 (ICE ERO enforcement outcomes)[22]
Verified32ICE had 39,000+ orders of removal issued in FY 2022 (ICE ERO enforcement outcomes)[22]
Verified33ICE average detention population was 28,000 in FY 2023 (ICE detention management statistics)[23]
Verified34ICE average detention population was 21,000 in FY 2022 (ICE detention management statistics)[23]
DirectionalEnforcement And Apprehensions Interpretation
Across recent years, enforcement activity has fluctuated sharply, with border encounters and apprehensions peaking in the millions while removals fell from 185,884 in 2022 to 146,531 in 2023 and ICE arrests dropping from 42,221 to 29,062.
References
- 1dhs.gov/sites/default/files/2024-06/Unauthorized%20Immigrants%20in%20the%20United%20States.pdf
- 2dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/19_0117_plcy_unauthorized_immigrants_in_us.pdf
- 5dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/20_0116_unauthorized_immigrants_in_us.pdf
- 6dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/17_1129_unauthorized_immigrants_in_the_united_states_0.pdf
- 10dhs.gov/immigration-statistics/enforcement-and-removal
- 3publications.iom.int/system/files/pdf/wmr_2020.pdf
- 4unhcr.org/media/unhcr-global-trends-2017
- 7cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/southwest-border-encounters-fy-2023
- 8cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/us-mexico-border-encounters-fy-2023
- 9cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/southwest-border-encounters-fy-2022
- 12cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/monthly-update-southwest-border-apprehensions
- 13cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/southwest-border-encounters-fy-2021
- 14cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/southwest-border-encounters-fy-2019
- 15cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/southwest-border-encounters-fy-2020
- 16cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/trafficking-referrals
- 19cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/family-unit-encounters
- 20cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/gotaways
- 21cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/usbp-apprehensions
- 11ice.gov/doclib/about/offices/ero/pdf/ice-enforcement-and-removal-stats.pdf
- 17ice.gov/doclib/about/offices/detention/odpp/ice-detention-and-transportation-factsheet.pdf
- 22ice.gov/doclib/about/offices/ero/pdf/ice-ero-statistics.pdf
- 23ice.gov/doclib/about/offices/detention/odpp/odpp-annual-report.pdf
- 18acf.hhs.gov/orr/resource/unaccompanied-children-data