Summary
A Pew Research Center study found that the number of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. rose to 14 million in 2023, the highest ever recorded. This increase continues amid changing immigration policies and global factors driving migration.
Key Facts
- The number of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. reached 14 million in 2023, according to Pew Research.
- From 2021 to 2023, unauthorized immigrants from countries other than Mexico increased from 6.4 million to 9.7 million.
- Over 12 million unauthorized immigrants either entered illegally or overstayed a visa in 2023.
- Approximately 2 million immigrants entered legally but awaited court decisions on staying in the U.S.
- The rise in migration happened after President Biden changed some of Trump's immigration restrictions.
- 82,000 migrants traveled through the Darién Gap from Colombia to Panama in August 2023.
- Economic problems and violence in various regions, along with U.S. policy perceptions, contributed to the migration rise.
- Around 6 million immigrants had some form of deportation protection in 2023, up from 2.7 million in 2021.
