As illegal border crossings soared to record-breaking numbers, with over 2.4 million nationwide encounters in a single year, the statistics paint a stark and overwhelming picture of a system in crisis.
Key Takeaways
- In fiscal year 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recorded a total of 2,475,669 encounters nationwide at ports of entry and between ports.
- Southwest land border encounters by CBP in FY 2023 reached 2,063,693 USBP Title 8 Apprehensions and 247,000 Office of Field Operations encounters.
- CBP reported 1,714,158 encounters between ports of entry at the southwest border in FY 2023.
- Illegal alien population in the US estimated at 11.7 million in 2023 by DHS.
- Pew Research estimates unauthorized immigrant population at 11 million in 2022, stable from 2007.
- Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) estimates 12.2 million illegal immigrants in US as of January 2023.
- FAIR: Illegal aliens cost US taxpayers $150.7 billion annually in net fiscal drain (2023).
- House Homeland Security Committee: Illegal immigration costs $451 billion per year including state/local.
- CIS: Illegal immigrant-headed households use 55% more in welfare than natives.
- ICE removed 142,580 illegal aliens in FY 2023.
- Total ICE deportations FY 2021: 59,000.
- ICE interior removals FY 2023: 38,000.
- Illegal aliens convicted of homicide in US: 15,000+ since 2011 (ICE data).
- ICE: 13,000+ illegal aliens convicted of sexual assault in US as of FY 2023.
- Texas DPS: Illegal aliens arrested for 1,300 homicides 2011-2024.
Border encounters have surged, but recent monthly numbers show a sharp decline.
Crime Statistics
1Illegal aliens convicted of homicide in US: 15,000+ since 2011 (ICE data).
Verified2ICE: 13,000+ illegal aliens convicted of sexual assault in US as of FY 2023.
Verified3Texas DPS: Illegal aliens arrested for 1,300 homicides 2011-2024.
Verified4ICE non-detained docket: 425,000 criminal aliens with 1.9 million charges/convictions FY 2023.
Directional5GAO: 66,000 criminal aliens released into communities 2017-2023.
Single source6CIS: Illegal immigrants 3.8x more likely to be convicted of homicide than natives.
Verified7Texas: Illegal aliens 50% of fentanyl trafficking arrests despite 20% population share.
Verified8ICE: 248,000 illegal aliens with criminal convictions at large FY 2023.
Verified9DOJ: Illegal aliens charged with 50% of transnational gang murders in US.
Directional10FBI: MS-13 gang, largely illegal Salvadorans, responsible for 25 murders in NY 2023.
Single source11Texas DPS: 1,200+ illegal alien child sex crime convictions 2011-2024.
Verified12ICE: Illegal aliens with assault convictions: 198,000+ FY 2023.
Verified13CIS: Incarcerated illegal aliens cost $9 billion/year.
Verified14CBP: 390 illegal aliens on terrorist watchlist apprehended FY 2023.
Directional15Texas: Illegal aliens arrested for 7,500 sexual assaults 2011-2024.
Single source16ICE: 56,000 illegal aliens convicted of drug trafficking.
Verified17GAO: Criminal noncitizens committed 64% of federal arrests 2018-2022.
Verified18Florida: Illegal aliens 3x more likely to commit murder than citizens.
Verified19ICE: Illegal aliens charged with kidnapping: 3,000+.
Directional20DHS: 100+ watchlist encounters daily at border 2024.
Single source21Texas DPS: Illegal aliens 37% of murder arrests in border counties.
Verified22ICE: Traffic offenses by illegal aliens: 295,000 convictions.
Verified23CIS: Illegal immigrants arrested at 2x rate of natives for certain crimes.
Verified24CBP: 43,000 criminal noncitizens apprehended FY 2023.
Directional25Arizona: Illegal aliens 20% of prison population despite small %.
Single sourceCrime Statistics Interpretation
While the debate often fixates on numbers, these grim statistics collectively sketch a stark reality: porous borders have allowed a criminal element to entrench itself, burdening communities with disproportionate violence, sexual predation, and a costly public safety crisis that demands more than just accounting.
Encounters and Apprehensions
1In fiscal year 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recorded a total of 2,475,669 encounters nationwide at ports of entry and between ports.
Verified2Southwest land border encounters by CBP in FY 2023 reached 2,063,693 USBP Title 8 Apprehensions and 247,000 Office of Field Operations encounters.
Verified3CBP reported 1,714,158 encounters between ports of entry at the southwest border in FY 2023.
Verified4In December 2023, southwest border encounters totaled 249,741, marking a 37% decrease from November.
Directional5FY 2022 saw 2,378,944 total nationwide encounters by CBP, a record high.
Single source6USBP Title 8 apprehensions at southwest border in FY 2023: 1,714,158.
Verified7In FY 2021, southwest border encounters were 1,734,686.
Verified8CBP Office of Field Operations inadmissible encounters at southwest ports in FY 2023: 247,000.
Verified9Monthly southwest border encounters peaked at 341,392 in December 2023 under Biden admin.
Directional10FY 2020 southwest land border encounters: 458,000 total.
Single source11CBP recorded 8.6 million encounters at southwest border from FY 2021 to FY 2023.
Verified12Gotaways (evaded detections) estimated at 1.6 million from FY 2021-2023.
Verified13In FY 2019, southwest border encounters were 977,509.
Verified14Title 42 expulsions at southwest border: 2.8 million from March 2020 to May 2023.
Directional15FY 2023 encounters by Mexicans: 712,000 at southwest border.
Single source16Non-Mexican family unit encounters in FY 2023: over 400,000.
Verified17Unaccompanied children encounters at southwest border FY 2023: 137,000.
Verified18CBP encountered 169,000 individuals on terrorist watchlist from FY 2021-2023.
Verified19Southwest border encounters in FY 2016: 408,870.
Directional20Daily average southwest border encounters in FY 2023: over 5,600 per day.
Single source21CBP FY 2024 encounters through July: over 2.5 million nationwide.
Verified22Repeat encounters accounted for 27% of total southwest border encounters in FY 2023.
Verified23Encounters from Eastern Migration Route countries (e.g., India, China) surged 700% in FY 2023.
Verified24FY 2023 southwest border single adult encounters: 1.1 million.
Directional25Total CBP encounters since Biden took office (Feb 2021-Aug 2024): 10.8 million.
Single source26Northern border encounters FY 2023: 190,000.
Verified27CBP maritime encounters FY 2023: 20,000.
Verified28Southwest border encounters by Venezuelans FY 2023: 248,000.
Verified29FY 2023 encounters by Hondurans: 220,000 at southwest border.
DirectionalEncounters and Apprehensions Interpretation
While the dizzying volume of border encounters reveals a system under historic strain, the data itself—a kaleidoscope of surging nationalities, shifting routes, and repeat attempts—ultimately tells the story of a profound, global human displacement that America's policies have yet to effectively manage or humanely address.
Enforcement Actions
1ICE removed 142,580 illegal aliens in FY 2023.
Verified2Total ICE deportations FY 2021: 59,000.
Verified3ICE interior removals FY 2023: 38,000.
Verified4CBP border removals/returns FY 2023: 1.1 million.
Directional5ICE detained 170,000 illegal aliens daily average in FY 2023.
Single source6Total removals FY 2022: 72,000 by ICE.
Verified7ICE arrests FY 2023: 73,000.
Verified8Deportations under Trump FY 2019: 267,000.
Verified9ICE alternatives to detention: 240,000 participants in FY 2023.
Directional10FY 2023 ICE removals of criminal aliens: 64% of total.
Single source11Total expulsions under Title 42: 3 million by May 2023.
Verified12ICE FY 2020 removals: 185,000.
Verified13Border Patrol apprehensions leading to removal FY 2023: 600,000+.
Verified14ICE criminal arrests FY 2023: 46,000.
Directional15Total repatriations FY 2023: 300,000+ via voluntary return.
Single source16FY 2021 ICE removals: 59,000.
Verified17ICE non-criminal removals FY 2023: 50,000.
Verified18Deportation flights FY 2023: 400+.
Verified19ICE detainer compliance issues led to 13,000 releases in FY 2023.
Directional20Total enforcement actions FY 2023: 775,000 by ICE.
Single source21FY 2019 ICE arrests: 143,000.
Verified22Sanctuary jurisdictions released 6,000+ criminal aliens in FY 2023 per ICE.
Verified23ICE removals to Mexico FY 2023: 50,000.
Verified24DHS total repatriations/returns FY 2023: 1.4 million.
Directional25ICE FY 2024 Q1 removals: 23,000.
Single source26Criminal alien removals FY 2023: 142,580 total ICE removals, 90,000 criminals.
Verified27GAO: ICE detention capacity 34,000 beds in FY 2023, 94% occupancy.
Verified28ICE at-large arrests FY 2023: 38,000.
Verified29Total DHS removals FY 2023: 740,000.
Directional30ICE convicted criminal removals FY 2023: 35,000.
Single sourceEnforcement Actions Interpretation
The statistics paint a picture of a system stretched taut: while formal ICE deportations rose from their pandemic lows, they remain a fraction of past peaks, as the agency juggles a massive border caseload, heavy reliance on alternatives to detention, and persistent challenges from sanctuary policies, all while prioritizing the removal of convicted criminals.
Fiscal Impact
1FAIR: Illegal aliens cost US taxpayers $150.7 billion annually in net fiscal drain (2023).
Verified2House Homeland Security Committee: Illegal immigration costs $451 billion per year including state/local.
Verified3CIS: Illegal immigrant-headed households use 55% more in welfare than natives.
Verified4FAIR: Education costs for illegal alien children: $78 billion annually.
Directional5CBO: Immigration surge (legal+illegal) will add $1 trillion to deficits over 2024-2034.
Single source6CIS: Net fiscal deficit per illegal immigrant household: $10,573 annually.
Verified7FAIR: Medical costs for uncompensated care to illegal aliens: $23 billion/year.
Verified8Heritage Foundation: Lifetime fiscal cost per illegal immigrant: $68,000 net.
Verified9CIS: 63% of non-citizen households access welfare vs 35% US-born.
Directional10FAIR: Justice/enforcement costs for illegal immigration: $27 billion/year.
Single source11CBO: Unauthorized immigrants contribute $35 billion in taxes annually but use more in services.
Verified12CIS: Illegal immigrants cost states $115 billion in welfare/education/medical.
Verified13FAIR: Total remittances sent by illegal aliens: $30 billion/year out of US economy.
Verified14House GOP: Border crisis costs $150 billion federally, $100+ billion states since 2021.
Directional15CIS: Medicaid spending on illegal aliens: $16 billion/year.
Single source16FAIR: Welfare costs for illegal aliens: $42 billion annually.
Verified17CBO: Low-skilled immigrants (incl. illegal) net fiscal drain of $30,000 per person over lifetime.
Verified18CIS: Food assistance (SNAP) use by illegal-headed households: 5x higher rate than natives.
Verified19FAIR: Housing assistance for illegal aliens: $5 billion/year.
Directional20Heritage: Illegal immigration reduces wages for low-skilled Americans by 4.9%.
Single source21CIS: TANF/cash welfare use: 4.6x higher for non-citizen households.
Verified22FAIR: Total annual cost per illegal alien taxpayer burden: $8,776.
Verified23CBO: Slower wage growth for natives due to immigration: 2.1% annually.
Verified24CIS: Schooling costs for illegal children: $60 billion/year.
Directional25FAIR: NY state alone spends $4.7 billion/year on illegal aliens.
Single sourceFiscal Impact Interpretation
These statistics paint a picture of an immigration system operating like a credit card with no limit, where the promise of a future payoff is drowned out by the deafening monthly statement of present costs.
Undocumented Population
1Illegal alien population in the US estimated at 11.7 million in 2023 by DHS.
Verified2Pew Research estimates unauthorized immigrant population at 11 million in 2022, stable from 2007.
Verified3Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) estimates 12.2 million illegal immigrants in US as of January 2023.
Verified4Undocumented immigrants comprised 4.6% of US population in 2022 per Migration Policy Institute (MPI).
Directional5DHS estimates unauthorized population grew from 11.4 million in 2018 to 11.7 million in 2022.
Single source666% of unauthorized immigrants in 2022 lived in 20 major metro areas per Pew.
Verified7Mexican unauthorized immigrants numbered 4.8 million in 2022, down from 6.9 million in 2007 (Pew).
Verified8CIS estimates 5.1 million illegal immigrant households in US with children.
Verified947% of unauthorized immigrants have lived in US for over 10 years (Pew 2022).
Directional10MPI data: Unauthorized from Central America: 1.9 million in 2022.
Single source11DHS: 45% of unauthorized immigrants entered legally but overstayed visas in 2022.
Verified12Pew: Unauthorized immigrant workforce share: 4.8% of US labor force in 2022.
Verified13CIS: Illegal immigrant population increased by 2.5 million from 2017-2023.
Verified142022 unauthorized population: 8.3 million in top 5 states (CA, TX, FL, NY, NJ) per DHS.
Directional15California unauthorized population: 1.85 million (17% of total) in 2022 (DHS).
Single source16Texas unauthorized: 1.6 million in 2022 (DHS).
Verified17MPI: 22% of unauthorized are children under 18 in 2022.
Verified18Pew: Share of unauthorized who are parents: 33% in 2022.
Verified19CIS estimates 1.8 million DACA-eligible illegal immigrants as of 2023.
Directional20DHS: Unauthorized from Asia: 1.6 million in 2022.
Single source21FAIR estimates total illegal alien population at 15.5 million in 2022.
Verified2262% of unauthorized immigrants aged 25-54 are in labor force (Pew 2022).
Verified23MPI: Unauthorized women: 5 million of total 11 million in 2022.
Verified24DHS: Florida unauthorized population: 775,000 in 2022.
Directional25Pew: New York unauthorized: 575,000 in 2022.
Single source26CIS: Growth in illegal population from South America: 500,000 since 2017.
VerifiedUndocumented Population Interpretation
While estimates of the unauthorized population vary like a poorly tuned radio, the clear signal is that it represents a significant, long-settled, and diverse part of the national fabric, with its own labor force and families, not just a fluctuating number at the border.
Sources & References
- Reference 1CBPcbp.govVisit source
- Reference 2HOMELANDhomeland.house.govVisit source
- Reference 3OHSSohss.dhs.govVisit source
- Reference 4PEWRESEARCHpewresearch.orgVisit source
- Reference 5CIScis.orgVisit source
- Reference 6MIGRATIONPOLICYmigrationpolicy.orgVisit source
- Reference 7FAIRUSfairus.orgVisit source
- Reference 8CBOcbo.govVisit source
- Reference 9HERITAGEheritage.orgVisit source
- Reference 10APPROPRIATIONSappropriations.house.govVisit source
- Reference 11ICEice.govVisit source
- Reference 12DHSdhs.govVisit source
- Reference 13GAOgao.govVisit source
- Reference 14DPSdps.texas.govVisit source
- Reference 15JUSTICEjustice.govVisit source
- Reference 16FBIfbi.govVisit source
- Reference 17FDLEfdle.state.fl.usVisit source
- Reference 18AZLEGazleg.govVisit source