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
- 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.
- ICE non-detained docket: 425,000 criminal aliens with 1.9 million charges/convictions FY 2023.
- GAO: 66,000 criminal aliens released into communities 2017-2023.
- CIS: Illegal immigrants 3.8x more likely to be convicted of homicide than natives.
- Texas: Illegal aliens 50% of fentanyl trafficking arrests despite 20% population share.
- ICE: 248,000 illegal aliens with criminal convictions at large FY 2023.
- DOJ: Illegal aliens charged with 50% of transnational gang murders in US.
- FBI: MS-13 gang, largely illegal Salvadorans, responsible for 25 murders in NY 2023.
- Texas DPS: 1,200+ illegal alien child sex crime convictions 2011-2024.
- ICE: Illegal aliens with assault convictions: 198,000+ FY 2023.
- CIS: Incarcerated illegal aliens cost $9 billion/year.
- CBP: 390 illegal aliens on terrorist watchlist apprehended FY 2023.
- Texas: Illegal aliens arrested for 7,500 sexual assaults 2011-2024.
- ICE: 56,000 illegal aliens convicted of drug trafficking.
- GAO: Criminal noncitizens committed 64% of federal arrests 2018-2022.
- Florida: Illegal aliens 3x more likely to commit murder than citizens.
- ICE: Illegal aliens charged with kidnapping: 3,000+.
- DHS: 100+ watchlist encounters daily at border 2024.
- Texas DPS: Illegal aliens 37% of murder arrests in border counties.
- ICE: Traffic offenses by illegal aliens: 295,000 convictions.
- CIS: Illegal immigrants arrested at 2x rate of natives for certain crimes.
- CBP: 43,000 criminal noncitizens apprehended FY 2023.
- Arizona: Illegal aliens 20% of prison population despite small %.
Crime 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
- 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.
- In December 2023, southwest border encounters totaled 249,741, marking a 37% decrease from November.
- FY 2022 saw 2,378,944 total nationwide encounters by CBP, a record high.
- USBP Title 8 apprehensions at southwest border in FY 2023: 1,714,158.
- In FY 2021, southwest border encounters were 1,734,686.
- CBP Office of Field Operations inadmissible encounters at southwest ports in FY 2023: 247,000.
- Monthly southwest border encounters peaked at 341,392 in December 2023 under Biden admin.
- FY 2020 southwest land border encounters: 458,000 total.
- CBP recorded 8.6 million encounters at southwest border from FY 2021 to FY 2023.
- Gotaways (evaded detections) estimated at 1.6 million from FY 2021-2023.
- In FY 2019, southwest border encounters were 977,509.
- Title 42 expulsions at southwest border: 2.8 million from March 2020 to May 2023.
- FY 2023 encounters by Mexicans: 712,000 at southwest border.
- Non-Mexican family unit encounters in FY 2023: over 400,000.
- Unaccompanied children encounters at southwest border FY 2023: 137,000.
- CBP encountered 169,000 individuals on terrorist watchlist from FY 2021-2023.
- Southwest border encounters in FY 2016: 408,870.
- Daily average southwest border encounters in FY 2023: over 5,600 per day.
- CBP FY 2024 encounters through July: over 2.5 million nationwide.
- Repeat encounters accounted for 27% of total southwest border encounters in FY 2023.
- Encounters from Eastern Migration Route countries (e.g., India, China) surged 700% in FY 2023.
- FY 2023 southwest border single adult encounters: 1.1 million.
- Total CBP encounters since Biden took office (Feb 2021-Aug 2024): 10.8 million.
- Northern border encounters FY 2023: 190,000.
- CBP maritime encounters FY 2023: 20,000.
- Southwest border encounters by Venezuelans FY 2023: 248,000.
- FY 2023 encounters by Hondurans: 220,000 at southwest border.
Encounters 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
- ICE removed 142,580 illegal aliens in FY 2023.
- Total ICE deportations FY 2021: 59,000.
- ICE interior removals FY 2023: 38,000.
- CBP border removals/returns FY 2023: 1.1 million.
- ICE detained 170,000 illegal aliens daily average in FY 2023.
- Total removals FY 2022: 72,000 by ICE.
- ICE arrests FY 2023: 73,000.
- Deportations under Trump FY 2019: 267,000.
- ICE alternatives to detention: 240,000 participants in FY 2023.
- FY 2023 ICE removals of criminal aliens: 64% of total.
- Total expulsions under Title 42: 3 million by May 2023.
- ICE FY 2020 removals: 185,000.
- Border Patrol apprehensions leading to removal FY 2023: 600,000+.
- ICE criminal arrests FY 2023: 46,000.
- Total repatriations FY 2023: 300,000+ via voluntary return.
- FY 2021 ICE removals: 59,000.
- ICE non-criminal removals FY 2023: 50,000.
- Deportation flights FY 2023: 400+.
- ICE detainer compliance issues led to 13,000 releases in FY 2023.
- Total enforcement actions FY 2023: 775,000 by ICE.
- FY 2019 ICE arrests: 143,000.
- Sanctuary jurisdictions released 6,000+ criminal aliens in FY 2023 per ICE.
- ICE removals to Mexico FY 2023: 50,000.
- DHS total repatriations/returns FY 2023: 1.4 million.
- ICE FY 2024 Q1 removals: 23,000.
- Criminal alien removals FY 2023: 142,580 total ICE removals, 90,000 criminals.
- GAO: ICE detention capacity 34,000 beds in FY 2023, 94% occupancy.
- ICE at-large arrests FY 2023: 38,000.
- Total DHS removals FY 2023: 740,000.
- ICE convicted criminal removals FY 2023: 35,000.
Enforcement 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
- 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.
- FAIR: Education costs for illegal alien children: $78 billion annually.
- CBO: Immigration surge (legal+illegal) will add $1 trillion to deficits over 2024-2034.
- CIS: Net fiscal deficit per illegal immigrant household: $10,573 annually.
- FAIR: Medical costs for uncompensated care to illegal aliens: $23 billion/year.
- Heritage Foundation: Lifetime fiscal cost per illegal immigrant: $68,000 net.
- CIS: 63% of non-citizen households access welfare vs 35% US-born.
- FAIR: Justice/enforcement costs for illegal immigration: $27 billion/year.
- CBO: Unauthorized immigrants contribute $35 billion in taxes annually but use more in services.
- CIS: Illegal immigrants cost states $115 billion in welfare/education/medical.
- FAIR: Total remittances sent by illegal aliens: $30 billion/year out of US economy.
- House GOP: Border crisis costs $150 billion federally, $100+ billion states since 2021.
- CIS: Medicaid spending on illegal aliens: $16 billion/year.
- FAIR: Welfare costs for illegal aliens: $42 billion annually.
- CBO: Low-skilled immigrants (incl. illegal) net fiscal drain of $30,000 per person over lifetime.
- CIS: Food assistance (SNAP) use by illegal-headed households: 5x higher rate than natives.
- FAIR: Housing assistance for illegal aliens: $5 billion/year.
- Heritage: Illegal immigration reduces wages for low-skilled Americans by 4.9%.
- CIS: TANF/cash welfare use: 4.6x higher for non-citizen households.
- FAIR: Total annual cost per illegal alien taxpayer burden: $8,776.
- CBO: Slower wage growth for natives due to immigration: 2.1% annually.
- CIS: Schooling costs for illegal children: $60 billion/year.
- FAIR: NY state alone spends $4.7 billion/year on illegal aliens.
Fiscal 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
- 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.
- Undocumented immigrants comprised 4.6% of US population in 2022 per Migration Policy Institute (MPI).
- DHS estimates unauthorized population grew from 11.4 million in 2018 to 11.7 million in 2022.
- 66% of unauthorized immigrants in 2022 lived in 20 major metro areas per Pew.
- Mexican unauthorized immigrants numbered 4.8 million in 2022, down from 6.9 million in 2007 (Pew).
- CIS estimates 5.1 million illegal immigrant households in US with children.
- 47% of unauthorized immigrants have lived in US for over 10 years (Pew 2022).
- MPI data: Unauthorized from Central America: 1.9 million in 2022.
- DHS: 45% of unauthorized immigrants entered legally but overstayed visas in 2022.
- Pew: Unauthorized immigrant workforce share: 4.8% of US labor force in 2022.
- CIS: Illegal immigrant population increased by 2.5 million from 2017-2023.
- 2022 unauthorized population: 8.3 million in top 5 states (CA, TX, FL, NY, NJ) per DHS.
- California unauthorized population: 1.85 million (17% of total) in 2022 (DHS).
- Texas unauthorized: 1.6 million in 2022 (DHS).
- MPI: 22% of unauthorized are children under 18 in 2022.
- Pew: Share of unauthorized who are parents: 33% in 2022.
- CIS estimates 1.8 million DACA-eligible illegal immigrants as of 2023.
- DHS: Unauthorized from Asia: 1.6 million in 2022.
- FAIR estimates total illegal alien population at 15.5 million in 2022.
- 62% of unauthorized immigrants aged 25-54 are in labor force (Pew 2022).
- MPI: Unauthorized women: 5 million of total 11 million in 2022.
- DHS: Florida unauthorized population: 775,000 in 2022.
- Pew: New York unauthorized: 575,000 in 2022.
- CIS: Growth in illegal population from South America: 500,000 since 2017.
Undocumented 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