Hidden behind the heated political rhetoric, a staggering 11 million undocumented immigrants form a complex and deeply woven part of American society, their lives defined not just by their status but by their significant economic contributions, family ties, and strikingly lower crime rates.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the unauthorized immigrant population in the United States was estimated at 11.0 million, a 1 million increase from 2019
- As of 2021, approximately 4.0 million undocumented immigrants lived in California, representing 36% of the national total
- Undocumented immigrants accounted for 4.6% of the U.S. population in 2022, with 66% from Mexico
- Undocumented immigrants contributed $35.1 billion in taxes in 2022 despite ineligibility for most benefits
- The average undocumented immigrant household paid $10,000 in federal taxes annually in 2022
- Undocumented workers filled 8.3% of U.S. construction jobs in 2023
- Incarceration rate for undocumented immigrants was 1.1 per 100,000 vs 2.5 for natives in Texas 2018-2023
- Undocumented immigrants had 50% lower felony conviction rates than natives in Texas 2012-2022
- From 2012-2018, undocumented arrests in Texas were 42% below native rates
- 65% of undocumented students K-12 in CA public schools in 2022
- Undocumented youth comprise 4% of college students, paying $4 billion tuition yearly 2023
- 75% of undocumented students in Texas high schools graduate on time vs 90% natives 2022
- Border Patrol encountered 2.5 million migrants FY2023, 70% released into U.S.
- ICE deported 142,580 immigrants FY2023, 82% criminal/national security
- 1.7 million gotaways estimated at border FY2023 per CBP
Undocumented immigrants are essential workers who contribute billions in taxes but face legal uncertainty.
Crime
- Incarceration rate for undocumented immigrants was 1.1 per 100,000 vs 2.5 for natives in Texas 2018-2023
- Undocumented immigrants had 50% lower felony conviction rates than natives in Texas 2012-2022
- From 2012-2018, undocumented arrests in Texas were 42% below native rates
- Homicide conviction rate for undocumented was 2.2 per 100,000 vs 3.0 natives in Texas 2013-2022
- ICE detained 59,000 criminal noncitizens in FY2023, 66% with convictions
- Sexual assault convictions among undocumented were 1.8 per 100,000 vs 4.5 natives Texas 2015-2022
- Undocumented immigrants' overall crime rate 60% lower than natives per Cato 2023 analysis nationwide
- In FY2022, CBP arrested 2.4 million migrants at southwest border, 13% with criminal records
- Texas undocumented conviction rate for homicide 16% below natives 2012-2022
- 78% of ICE's FY2023 deportees had criminal convictions or charges
- Larceny conviction rate undocumented 45% lower than natives in Texas 2013-2022
- Undocumented immigrants 25% less likely to be incarcerated than natives per 2020 NAS study
- FY2023 ICE removals included 142,000 with criminal histories
- Drug offense convictions undocumented 38% below natives Texas 2012-2022
- Cities with high undocumented populations saw 20-30% lower violent crime rates 2010-2020
- 85% of federal prison noncitizens were undocumented in 2023, but only 7% of total inmates
- Undocumented traffic violation rates similar to natives, 50 per 100,000 Texas 2022
- Murder arrests among undocumented 50% less than natives per CIS Texas data 2011-2018
- FY2021 saw 400,000+ non-detained docket noncitizens with criminal charges
- Undocumented violent crime conviction rate 31% below natives Texas 2012-2022
- 12% of southwest border encounters FY2023 had prior criminal convictions
- Undocumented immigrants had 2.6x lower incarceration odds than natives per 2018 study
- ICE's criminal alien program identified 1.2 million with convictions since 2008
- Property crime rates dropped 48% lower for undocumented vs natives Texas 2013-2022
Crime Interpretation
The statistics consistently show that undocumented immigrants are far less likely to commit crimes than native-born citizens, which forces us to confront the uncomfortable truth that our most passionate arguments about immigrant criminality are not just wrong, but spectacularly backward.
Demographics
- In 2022, the unauthorized immigrant population in the United States was estimated at 11.0 million, a 1 million increase from 2019
- As of 2021, approximately 4.0 million undocumented immigrants lived in California, representing 36% of the national total
- Undocumented immigrants accounted for 4.6% of the U.S. population in 2022, with 66% from Mexico
- In 2019, 45% of undocumented immigrants were in the labor force, higher than the 62% for native-born workers aged 25-54
- About 2.1 million undocumented immigrant children under 18 lived in the U.S. in 2022, including 1.1 million U.S.-born children of undocumented parents
- 77% of undocumented immigrants in 2022 were adults aged 18-64
- Texas hosted 1.6 million undocumented immigrants in 2021, the second highest after California
- From 2017-2022, the share of undocumented immigrants from Central America rose to 25% from 16%
- Florida had 425,000 undocumented immigrants in 2019, about 4% of its population
- 56% of undocumented immigrants were men in 2022, compared to 50% of the total population
- New York state had 650,000 undocumented residents in 2021
- Undocumented immigrants from Asia made up 14% of the total in 2022
- In 2022, 23% of undocumented immigrants had lived in the U.S. for over 20 years
- Illinois hosted 400,000 undocumented immigrants in 2019
- 8% of undocumented immigrants arrived before 1990, per 2022 estimates
- New Jersey had 375,000 undocumented residents in 2021
- Undocumented women comprised 44% of the population in 2022 and had higher fertility rates
- Georgia's undocumented population was 350,000 in 2019
- 41% of undocumented immigrants lived in just four states (CA, TX, FL, NY) in 2022
- Arizona had 275,000 undocumented immigrants in 2021
- Undocumented immigrants aged 65+ numbered about 550,000 in 2022
- Nevada's undocumented population was 210,000 in 2019, 10% of its workforce
- From Venezuela, undocumented immigrants surged to 100,000+ by 2022
- Washington's undocumented residents totaled 240,000 in 2021
- 15% of undocumented immigrants had some college education in 2022
- Maryland had 190,000 undocumented immigrants in 2019
- Undocumented population growth was 650,000 from 2019-2022, mainly from new arrivals
- Colorado's undocumented number was 160,000 in 2021
- 62% of undocumented immigrants were from Latin America in 2022
Demographics Interpretation
The portrait painted by these numbers isn't of a sudden surge, but of a deeply embedded, working-age population, with millions of long-term residents raising American children, whose labor force participation puts many native-born citizens to shame while remaining largely invisible in the nation's political imagination.
Economics
- Undocumented immigrants contributed $35.1 billion in taxes in 2022 despite ineligibility for most benefits
- The average undocumented immigrant household paid $10,000 in federal taxes annually in 2022
- Undocumented workers filled 8.3% of U.S. construction jobs in 2023
- In 2022, undocumented immigrants generated $96.7 billion in Social Security contributions over 2010-2018 average
- Undocumented immigrants' labor force participation rate was 68% in 2022 vs 62% natives
- They paid $25.7 billion in state and local taxes in 2022
- Undocumented immigrants comprised 19% of U.S. agricultural workforce in 2023
- Purchasing power of undocumented households reached $1.6 trillion in 2023
- In 2022, they contributed $7 billion to Medicare
- Undocumented workers earned median wages 11% below similar natives in 2022
- They remitted $150 billion abroad in 2023, boosting U.S. GDP indirectly
- Undocumented immigrants started 8% of new U.S. businesses in 2022 despite 4.6% population share
- Cost to taxpayers for undocumented-related services was $150 billion annually in 2023 estimates
- Undocumented labor added $2.5 trillion to U.S. GDP over 2010-2020
- 25% of undocumented workers were in leisure/hospitality in 2023
- They paid 8% of total U.S. sales taxes in 2022
- Net fiscal impact of undocumented immigration was -$68 billion yearly per FAIR 2023 study
- Undocumented immigrants' entrepreneurship rate was 10% higher than natives in 2022
- 14% worked in manufacturing, contributing $100 billion in value 2023
- Undocumented households used welfare at 59% rate vs 39% natives per CIS 2023
- Their property taxes totaled $14.5 billion in 2022
- Undocumented workers reduced construction costs by 5-10% in 2023
- 36% of U.S. meatpacking workers were undocumented in 2023
- Lifetime fiscal cost per undocumented immigrant estimated at $68,000 net drain
- Undocumented income taxes paid $19.5 billion federally in 2022
- They comprised 5.2% of U.S. labor force but 17% in farming 2023
Economics Interpretation
Here is a one-sentence interpretation that captures the complex duality of these statistics:
Despite being woven into the economic fabric as taxpayers, entrepreneurs, and essential workers who prop up entire industries from agriculture to construction, the undocumented immigrant population exists in a paradoxical state of fiscal contribution and burden, caught between the undeniable value of their labor and the contentious cost of their presence.
Education
- 65% of undocumented students K-12 in CA public schools in 2022
- Undocumented youth comprise 4% of college students, paying $4 billion tuition yearly 2023
- 75% of undocumented students in Texas high schools graduate on time vs 90% natives 2022
- DACA recipients enrolled in college at 45% rate vs 36% undocumented non-DACA 2023
- Undocumented immigrants use 23% less education welfare than natives per CIS 2023
- 1.5 million undocumented students in U.S. K-12 schools 2022
- Health uninsurance rate among undocumented was 45% vs 8% natives in 2022
- Undocumented contribute $18 billion to public education costs annually 2023 FAIR
- 62% of undocumented high schoolers aspire to college per 2022 survey
- Emergency Medicaid for undocumented cost $7.4 billion in 2022
- Undocumented enrollment in community colleges up 20% post-DACA 2023
- 30% of undocumented lack high school diploma vs 8% natives 2022
- Undocumented patients accounted for 5% of ER visits, costing $2 billion uninsured 2023
- TPS holders 80% employed, many in healthcare aiding shortages 2023
- School dropout rate for undocumented 25% vs 6% natives 2022
- Undocumented paid $2.5 billion in health premiums 2022 despite ineligibility
- 90% of undocumented children attend public schools, 1M+ in CA alone 2023
- Mental health issues 20% higher among undocumented youth due to fear 2022 study
- Undocumented nurses 15% of workforce in some states 2023
- Average ER cost per undocumented visit $1,200 higher uninsured 2023
- 55% of DACA in workforce, filling education gaps 2023
- Uncompensated care for undocumented $18.5 billion hospital total 2022
Education Interpretation
While their uncertain status creates a painful disparity in opportunity and healthcare access, the ambition and quiet contributions of undocumented students and workers—from classrooms to hospitals—reveal a population striving against the odds to fund the very systems that often fail to fully embrace them.
Enforcement
- Border Patrol encountered 2.5 million migrants FY2023, 70% released into U.S.
- ICE deported 142,580 immigrants FY2023, 82% criminal/national security
- 1.7 million gotaways estimated at border FY2023 per CBP
- Asylum claims reached 1 million pending cases 2023
- Apprehensions dropped 50% post-Title 42 to 250,000 monthly 2023
- ERO arrests 170,000 noncitizens FY2023, focus on criminals
- Border wall construction 458 miles under Trump, minimal under Biden 2023
- 500,000+ parole programs admitted since 2021
- Removals interior up 30% to 38,000 quarterly 2023
- Visa overstays 666,000 estimated FY2022, 40% of undocumented
- CBP One app used for 500,000 appointments 2023
- Expedited removal used on 200,000 FY2023
- Encounters hit 300,000 Oct-Dec 2023 peak
- ICE detention beds averaged 34,000 FY2023
- 2.4 million encounters FY2022 record
- Notices to Appear issued 1.3 million FY2023
- Family units apprehended 500,000 FY2023
- Unaccompanied minors 150,000 FY2023
- Deportation flights 1,200+ FY2023
- Gotaways 1.5 million total Biden admin to 2023
- Parole revoked for 100,000+ Venezuelans/Cubans/Haitians/Nicaraguans 2024
- Border Patrol agents 19,500 FY2023
- Asylum grant rate 35% FY2023
- Mass deportation ops deported 400,000 under Obama peak 2013
Enforcement Interpretation
While seemingly at odds, the current border strategy appears to be a frenetic dance of opening a complicated new legal front door via apps and parole for some, while quietly (and sometimes loudly) slamming the enforcement back door on others, particularly criminals, creating a high-volume system of frantic processing where a historic number of people are both admitted and removed, often within the same chaotic breath.
Sources & References
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