Approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants lived in the United States in 2022. Their crime rates are consistently lower than those of native-born citizens, yet they contribute billions in taxes annually while facing significant barriers to healthcare and education.
Key Takeaways
- Incarceration rate for undocumented immigrants was 1.1 per 100,000 vs 2.5 for natives in Texas 2018-2023
- In 2022, the unauthorized immigrant population in the United States was estimated at 11.0 million, a 1 million increase from 2019
- Undocumented immigrants contributed $35.1 billion in taxes in 2022 despite ineligibility for most benefits
- 65% of undocumented students K-12 in CA public schools in 2022
- Border Patrol encountered 2.5 million migrants FY2023, 70% released into U.S.
Undocumented immigrants make up a significant part of the US workforce, highlighting the need for informed policy.
Related reading
01 · Category
Crime24 stats
01
Incarceration rate for undocumented immigrants was 1.1 per 100,000 vs 2.5 for natives in Texas 2018-2023
02
Undocumented immigrants had 50% lower felony conviction rates than natives in Texas 2012-2022
03
From 2012-2018, undocumented arrests in Texas were 42% below native rates
04
Homicide conviction rate for undocumented was 2.2 per 100,000 vs 3.0 natives in Texas 2013-2022
05
ICE detained 59,000 criminal noncitizens in FY2023, 66% with convictions
06
Sexual assault convictions among undocumented were 1.8 per 100,000 vs 4.5 natives Texas 2015-2022
07
Undocumented immigrants' overall crime rate 60% lower than natives per Cato 2023 analysis nationwide
08
In FY2022, CBP arrested 2.4 million migrants at southwest border, 13% with criminal records
09
Texas undocumented conviction rate for homicide 16% below natives 2012-2022
10
78% of ICE's FY2023 deportees had criminal convictions or charges
11
Larceny conviction rate undocumented 45% lower than natives in Texas 2013-2022
12
Undocumented immigrants 25% less likely to be incarcerated than natives per 2020 NAS study
13
FY2023 ICE removals included 142,000 with criminal histories
14
Drug offense convictions undocumented 38% below natives Texas 2012-2022
15
Cities with high undocumented populations saw 20-30% lower violent crime rates 2010-2020
16
85% of federal prison noncitizens were undocumented in 2023, but only 7% of total inmates
17
Undocumented traffic violation rates similar to natives, 50 per 100,000 Texas 2022
18
Murder arrests among undocumented 50% less than natives per CIS Texas data 2011-2018
19
FY2021 saw 400,000+ non-detained docket noncitizens with criminal charges
20
Undocumented violent crime conviction rate 31% below natives Texas 2012-2022
21
12% of southwest border encounters FY2023 had prior criminal convictions
22
Undocumented immigrants had 2.6x lower incarceration odds than natives per 2018 study
23
ICE's criminal alien program identified 1.2 million with convictions since 2008
24
Property crime rates dropped 48% lower for undocumented vs natives Texas 2013-2022
Interpretation
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.
02 · Category
Demographics29 stats
01
In 2022, the unauthorized immigrant population in the United States was estimated at 11.0 million, a 1 million increase from 2019
02
As of 2021, approximately 4.0 million undocumented immigrants lived in California, representing 36% of the national total
03
Undocumented immigrants accounted for 4.6% of the U.S. population in 2022, with 66% from Mexico
04
In 2019, 45% of undocumented immigrants were in the labor force, higher than the 62% for native-born workers aged 25-54
05
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
06
77% of undocumented immigrants in 2022 were adults aged 18-64
07
Texas hosted 1.6 million undocumented immigrants in 2021, the second highest after California
08
From 2017-2022, the share of undocumented immigrants from Central America rose to 25% from 16%
09
Florida had 425,000 undocumented immigrants in 2019, about 4% of its population
10
56% of undocumented immigrants were men in 2022, compared to 50% of the total population
11
New York state had 650,000 undocumented residents in 2021
12
Undocumented immigrants from Asia made up 14% of the total in 2022
13
In 2022, 23% of undocumented immigrants had lived in the U.S. for over 20 years
14
Illinois hosted 400,000 undocumented immigrants in 2019
15
8% of undocumented immigrants arrived before 1990, per 2022 estimates
16
New Jersey had 375,000 undocumented residents in 2021
17
Undocumented women comprised 44% of the population in 2022 and had higher fertility rates
18
Georgia's undocumented population was 350,000 in 2019
19
41% of undocumented immigrants lived in just four states (CA, TX, FL, NY) in 2022
20
Arizona had 275,000 undocumented immigrants in 2021
21
Undocumented immigrants aged 65+ numbered about 550,000 in 2022
22
Nevada's undocumented population was 210,000 in 2019, 10% of its workforce
23
From Venezuela, undocumented immigrants surged to 100,000+ by 2022
24
Washington's undocumented residents totaled 240,000 in 2021
25
15% of undocumented immigrants had some college education in 2022
26
Maryland had 190,000 undocumented immigrants in 2019
27
Undocumented population growth was 650,000 from 2019-2022, mainly from new arrivals
28
Colorado's undocumented number was 160,000 in 2021
29
62% of undocumented immigrants were from Latin America in 2022
Interpretation
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.
03 · Category
Economics26 stats
01
Undocumented immigrants contributed $35.1 billion in taxes in 2022 despite ineligibility for most benefits
02
The average undocumented immigrant household paid $10,000in federal taxes annually in 2022
03
Undocumented workers filled 8.3% of U.S. construction jobs in 2023
04
In 2022, undocumented immigrants generated $96.7 billion in Social Security contributions over 2010-2018 average
05
Undocumented immigrants' labor force participation rate was 68% in 2022 vs 62% natives
06
They paid $25.7 billion in state and local taxes in 2022
07
Undocumented immigrants comprised 19% of U.S. agricultural workforce in 2023
08
Purchasing power of undocumented households reached $1.6 trillion in 2023
09
In 2022, they contributed $7 billion to Medicare
10
Undocumented workers earned median wages 11% below similar natives in 2022
11
They remitted $150 billion abroad in 2023, boosting U.S. GDP indirectly
12
Undocumented immigrants started 8% of new U.S. businesses in 2022 despite 4.6% population share
13
Cost to taxpayers for undocumented-related services was $150 billion annually in 2023 estimates
14
Undocumented labor added $2.5 trillion to U.S. GDP over 2010-2020
15
25% of undocumented workers were in leisure/hospitality in 2023
16
They paid 8% of total U.S. sales taxes in 2022
17
Net fiscal impact of undocumented immigration was -$68 billion yearly per FAIR 2023 study
18
Undocumented immigrants' entrepreneurship rate was 10% higher than natives in 2022
19
14% worked in manufacturing, contributing $100 billion in value 2023
20
Undocumented households used welfare at 59% rate vs 39% natives per CIS 2023
21
Their property taxes totaled $14.5 billion in 2022
22
Undocumented workers reduced construction costs by 5-10% in 2023
23
36% of U.S. meatpacking workers were undocumented in 2023
24
Lifetime fiscal cost per undocumented immigrant estimated at $68,000net drain
25
Undocumented income taxes paid $19.5 billion federally in 2022
26
They comprised 5.2% of U.S. labor force but 17% in farming 2023
Interpretation
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.
More related reading
04 · Category
Education22 stats
01
65% of undocumented students K-12 in CA public schools in 2022
02
Undocumented youth comprise 4% of college students, paying $4 billion tuition yearly 2023
03
75% of undocumented students in Texas high schools graduate on time vs 90% natives 2022
04
DACA recipients enrolled in college at 45% rate vs 36% undocumented non-DACA 2023
05
Undocumented immigrants use 23% less education welfare than natives per CIS 2023
06
1.5 million undocumented students in U.S. K-12 schools 2022
07
Health uninsurance rate among undocumented was 45% vs 8% natives in 2022
08
Undocumented contribute $18 billion to public education costs annually 2023 FAIR
09
62% of undocumented high schoolers aspire to college per 2022 survey
10
Emergency Medicaid for undocumented cost $7.4 billion in 2022
11
Undocumented enrollment in community colleges up 20% post-DACA 2023
12
30% of undocumented lack high school diploma vs 8% natives 2022
13
Undocumented patients accounted for 5% of ER visits, costing $2 billion uninsured 2023
14
TPS holders 80% employed, many in healthcare aiding shortages 2023
15
School dropout rate for undocumented 25% vs 6% natives 2022
16
Undocumented paid $2.5 billion in health premiums 2022 despite ineligibility
17
90% of undocumented children attend public schools, 1M+ in CA alone 2023
18
Mental health issues 20% higher among undocumented youth due to fear 2022 study
19
Undocumented nurses 15% of workforce in some states 2023
20
Average ER cost per undocumented visit $1,200higher uninsured 2023
21
55% of DACA in workforce, filling education gaps 2023
22
Uncompensated care for undocumented $18.5 billion hospital total 2022
Interpretation
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.
05 · Category
Enforcement24 stats
01
Border Patrol encountered 2.5 million migrants FY2023, 70% released into U.S.
02
ICE deported 142,580 immigrants FY2023, 82% criminal/national security
03
1.7 million gotaways estimated at border FY2023 per CBP
04
Asylum claims reached 1 million pending cases 2023
05
Apprehensions dropped 50% post-Title 42 to 250,000 monthly 2023
06
ERO arrests 170,000 noncitizens FY2023, focus on criminals
07
Border wall construction 458 miles under Trump, minimal under Biden 2023
08
500,000+ parole programs admitted since 2021
09
Removals interior up 30% to 38,000 quarterly 2023
10
Visa overstays 666,000 estimated FY2022, 40% of undocumented
11
CBP One app used for 500,000 appointments 2023
12
Expedited removal used on 200,000 FY2023
13
Encounters hit 300,000 Oct-Dec 2023 peak
14
ICE detention beds averaged 34,000 FY2023
15
2.4 million encounters FY2022 record
16
Notices to Appear issued 1.3 million FY2023
17
Family units apprehended 500,000 FY2023
18
Unaccompanied minors 150,000 FY2023
19
Deportation flights 1,200+ FY2023
20
Gotaways 1.5 million total Biden admin to 2023
21
Parole revoked for 100,000+ Venezuelans/Cubans/Haitians/Nicaraguans 2024
22
Border Patrol agents 19,500 FY2023
23
Asylum grant rate 35% FY2023
24
Mass deportation ops deported 400,000 under Obama peak 2013
Interpretation
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.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Marie Larsen. (2026, February 13). Undocumented Immigrant Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/undocumented-immigrant-statistics
MLA
Marie Larsen. "Undocumented Immigrant Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/undocumented-immigrant-statistics.
Chicago
Marie Larsen. 2026. "Undocumented Immigrant Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/undocumented-immigrant-statistics.
Sources & references
30 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level