Summary
A Pew Research Center study found that six states, including California and Texas, have the highest numbers of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S., although more immigrants are moving to other states. The report noted a historic increase in unauthorized immigrants during President Biden's early years, with a total reaching 14 million in 2023. Economic growth and changes in immigration patterns contributed to this rise.
Key Facts
- Six states house the majority of unauthorized immigrants: California, Texas, Florida, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois.
- As of 2023, these states hold nearly 8 million unauthorized immigrants, making up 56% of the national total.
- California has the most unauthorized immigrants at 2.3 million, followed by Texas at 2.1 million.
- There has been a dispersal of unauthorized immigrants to 32 other states between 2021 and 2023.
- Florida saw an increase of approximately 700,000 unauthorized immigrants over two years.
- New Jersey, Illinois, and six other states saw increases of at least 75,000 unauthorized immigrants.
- In 2023, unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. totaled 14 million.
- Factors such as global economic and political instability and potential easing of U.S. immigration barriers contributed to the increase in unauthorized immigration.
