Summary
Some Republicans claimed that 20 million people entered the U.S. illegally during Joe Biden's presidency. However, this number appears to be an exaggeration. Data from organizations like Pew Research Center shows a rise in the undocumented immigrant population but not as high as 20 million.
Key Facts
- The undocumented immigrant population in the U.S. reached 14 million in 2023, according to Pew Research Center.
- Claims of 20 million illegal immigrants entering under Joe Biden are viewed as exaggerated.
- The term "encounters" by U.S. Customs and Border Protection refers to people stopped at the border, not necessarily those who successfully enter and stay.
- Encounters can include people who are caught and returned to their home countries, counted more than once, or processed in different ways.
- More than 2 million undocumented migrants have left the U.S., with many voluntarily returning to their home countries.
- In January 2025, there were 53.3 million immigrants in the U.S., but by June, the number fell to 51.9 million due to deportations and departures.
- The claim that Joe Biden allowed 20 or 30 million illegal immigrants to enter is misleading according to immigration experts.
