Illegal immigration in the United States is a big and often debated issue. It’s important to know the facts. What’s happening now with illegal immigration? How has it changed over the years? And what does the evidence say about its effect on our economy and society? These are things we will look at closely.
Today, with so much speaking out and sides being taken, understanding the real issue is vital. So what is the truth about illegal immigration in the U.S.? Are there really a lot more unauthorized immigrants now, or have things changed in recent times?We will look at the facts and find the details that are often missed or misinterpreted.
Key Takeaways
- The unauthorized immigrant population in the United States has declined in recent years, from a peak of 12.2 million in 2007 to 10.5 million in 2017.
- Mexicans are no longer the majority of the unauthorized immigrant population, accounting for less than half of the total in 2017.
- The number of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. workforce has also declined, from 8.2 million in 2007 to 7.6 million in 2017.
- Illegal immigration is a complex issue, with shifting trends and nuances that often get overshadowed by political rhetoric.
- Understanding the facts and data is crucial for informed discussions and policymaking on this important topic.
Defining Illegal Immigration in the U.S.
Illegal immigration in the United States happens when people from other countries break immigration laws. They do this to come in or stay without the right permission. This can include crossing the border without being checked or staying in the U.S. after their visa has expired. Some also break the rules of their legal entry.
What Constitutes Illegal Immigration?
Estimates show about 11 million people are in the U.S. without official permission. There’s been a lot of talk about what we should call these people. Some say “illegal immigrant,” some say “undocumented immigrant,” while others say “unauthorized immigrant.“
In 2013, the Associated Press decided not to use “illegal immigrant” anymore. They prefer to say “living in or entering a country illegally.” President Biden’s government also made a change in 2021. They told U.S. agencies to say “undocumented noncitizen” instead of “illegal alien.”
Categories of Illegal Immigrants in the Country
Those in the U.S. without the right permission fall into two main groups:
- People who came in without being checked or the proper permission
- People who stayed past their visa’s expiration or broke their entry rules
Surprisingly, it’s thought that almost half of the undocumented people in the U.S. did not cross the border illegally. They either stayed on expired visas or had their legal status changed.
“No person is illegal.”
Activists and those who support immigrants remind us that everyone deserves respect. They point out how important it is to use the right words.
The ongoing talks about the right words when discussing illegal immigration show it’s a big and tricky issue. This topic affects ethics and politics a lot.
Illegal Immigration Trends and Statistics
Over the years, the number of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. has changed. Recent data shows there were about 10.5 million in 2021. This is a bit more than in 2019 but nearly the same as in 2017.
In 2021, the U.S. had fewer unauthorized immigrants than its peak in 2007. It was also similar to 2004 numbers, being lower than from 2005-2015. This means the unauthorized immigrant population has stayed about the same in recent years.
Historical Data on Illegal Immigration
Where unauthorized immigrants come from has changed over time. The amount from Mexico has dropped. Yet, more are coming from Central America and Asia. In 2021, over 6.4 million unauthorized immigrants were from countries other than Mexico. There were big increases from places like El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala.
Recent Trends in Illegal Immigration
In 2021, people born in other countries made up 14.1% of the U.S. population. This was a bit more than before but less than 1890’s peak. Unauthorized immigrants were about 3% of the total population and 22% of the foreign-born group.
From 2007 to 2021, the number of unauthorized immigrants dropped by 1.75 million, which was a 14% decrease. At the same time, the legal immigrant population grew by 8 million, jumping 29%. This shows a change in the U.S. immigrant population.
“In 2021, the unauthorized immigrant population was less geographically concentrated, with California, Texas, Florida, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois being home to 56% of the total unauthorized immigrants, down from 80% in 1990.”
Illegal immigration is still a big issue, but the situation is changing. The countries’ origins and where unauthorized immigrants live in the U.S. both show how things are evolving.
Impact of Illegal Immigration on the U.S. Economy
Illegal immigration’s impact on the U.S. economy is both significant and complex. It includes costs to accommodate, but also contributions via labor and taxes.
Economic Costs of Illegal Immigration
Estimates show that each illegal immigrant costs around $68,000 in their lifetime. This figure considers taxes minus public service costs. Moreover, around 59% of illegal immigrant-headed households use major welfare programs, as opposed to 39% of U.S.-born households. Providing emergency medical care to uninsured immigrants costs about $7 billion annually.
Contributions of Illegal Immigrants to the Workforce
Illegal immigrants significantly contribute to the U.S. economy. In 2021, they made up 4.6% of the workforce, totaling 7.8 million workers. A whopping 90% of working-age illegal immigrants have jobs. They paid about $5.9 billion in federal income tax, $16.2 billion in Social Security tax, and $3.8 billion in Medicaid taxes in 2019.
The debate around illegal immigration’s economic impact remains complex. It involves balancing costs of support with the benefits of their work and tax contributions. This issue is a hot topic for policymakers and economists alike.
“The economic impact of immigrants differs based on their education and skill level. High-skilled migrants have a more positive economic effect compared to low-skilled migrants.”
Illegal Immigration and Crime
The link between illegal immigration and crime is complex and often debated. Some studies suggest a connection to specific crimes. Yet, others find no direct link. This leaves the effect on crime rates in the U.S. up for ongoing discussion.
Recent surveys show that many Americans think more migrants mean more crime. 57% of Americans think this. Interestingly, 85% of Republicans but only 31% of Democrats see the link. Still, almost 39% of Americans do not agree.
Kubrin and Ousey, who wrote “Immigration and Crime: Taking Stock,” say that immigration often doesn’t increase crime. In fact, they found that more immigration can sometimes mean less crime. Their work suggests that crime doesn’t always rise with more immigrants.
“Restrictive, harsh, exclusionary immigration policies are unlikely to effectively reduce crime rates in society.”
Less research is focused on illegal immigration and crime. Yet, what we know often matches what we know about legal immigration. Underlining all this, stereotypes about immigrants being criminals can harm everyone. This includes leading to bad policies, family break-ups, and hate crimes.
Still, specific cases of crimes by illegal immigrants are known. A 2024 effort by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) found 171 such cases. They were charged with serious crimes, like murder. In a year, ICE arrested over 73,000 with criminal records, totaling around 290,000 charges.
These figures underline a nuanced view of the matter. They show that while most research doesn’t link illegal immigration with crime, some incidents exist. It warns against jumping to conclusions or using politics to skew the discussion. Only an objective approach can lead to a clearer understanding.
Illegal Immigration by Country of Origin
The United States has a long history with illegal immigration. The countries where these immigrants come from have shifted over time. Mexico has been the top source, but this is changing.
Top Countries of Origin for Illegal Immigrants
The latest data shows us where illegal immigrants in the U.S. come from:
- Mexico
- El Salvador
- Guatemala
- India
- Honduras
- China
Recent years have seen a decline in illegal immigrants from Mexico. Yet, migrants from Central America, the Caribbean, South America, Asia, Europe, and sub-Saharan Africa are increasing.
Shifting Origins Over Time
Since 2007, the countries unauthorized immigrants come from have changed. Mexico’s numbers have gone down, while Central America and Asia’s have increased.
“Immigration from countries like India and China has been increasing, reflecting the changing demographics of illegal immigration in the United States.”
These shifts tell us the issue is always changing. It shows we need strong policies to deal with it.
Illegal Immigration Policies and Reforms
The United States has long dealt with illegal immigration. It has tried many policies and reforms to solve this complicated issue. These efforts include increasing border security and working on the legal immigration system.
Past and Current Policies on Illegal Immigration
The U.S. government introduced several policies over the years to stop illegal immigration. One major law, the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, allowed many people from Latin America to become legal residents. This law also punished employers who hired undocumented workers.
Laws in the 1990s and 2000s aimed to make border control tighter. They also made it harder to qualify for legal immigration due to concerns about terrorism. More recent laws include the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which President Obama started. This program aims to protect young immigrants from being deported. But, there are legal battles about its future effects.
Proposed Reforms and Their Potential Impact
Debates on illegal immigration policies and reforms in the U.S. focus on many ideas. These include making the border and inside the country more secure. They also talk about giving legal status to some undocumented immigrants. Advocates for reform say a total plan is needed. It should deal with both enforcing the law and helping legal immigration.
Determining how any policy changes will affect illegal immigration and its makeup is not easy. The result would depend on the reform’s details and how it’s done, plus the economy and the politics at the time. Solving illegal immigration in a fair and effective way remains a tough challenge for the U.S.
“We must find a way to welcome the stranger and protect the nation.” – Pope Francis
Border Security and Illegal Immigration
The U.S. government works hard to make its borders safe and stop illegal entries. They have put up barriers, added more people, and used new technology at the border. But, the struggle at the U.S.-Mexico border is still big, with many people caught or sent back in recent times.
Efforts to Secure the U.S. Borders
In the last ten years, the U.S. has put a lot of money into border safety. They’ve built many miles of walls and fences along the south. They also have more agents there now. Vision tools like drones and sensors help watch the border better.
Challenges in Border Enforcement
But, keeping the U.S.-Mexico border safe is still a big task. In recent years, more people and more cases of people entering illegally have come up. In fiscal year 2023, over 670,000 “gotaways” were seen. These are people who crossed illegally without being caught. This number is bigger than the previous ten years, from 2010 to 2020, which had 1.4 million gotaways.
People are still talking about how well these border security actions work and how much they cost. Some say they are essential to stop illegal entries. Others say they do not work well and take away from focusing on other immigration issues.
“The combined number of gotaways in FY21-23 (1.6 million) surpassed the total for the decade between FY 2010 and FY 2020 (1.4 million).”
The U.S. is still focused on making its border safer and dealing with illegal entries. They look for new ways and technologies to do this better.
Illegal Immigration and Human Trafficking
Illegal immigration and human trafficking are a big problem. Human trafficking makes money off people, like in sex work or making them work against their will. It mostly hurts those who are in a new place without the right papers, as they are easier targets for criminals.
It’s hard to tell who the victims are. But groups like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are trying to help. They work with others to catch the bad guys and help the victims.
- The ICE Victim Assistance Program (VAP) helps with trafficking cases.
- ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) looks out for victims and traffickers in jails.
- ICE also teaches people how to spot trafficking and help at events.
ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) team also works with others to stop trafficking. They train people around the world to fight against it too.
“Human trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery, and it is happening in our communities. By working together, we can identify and assist victims, and disrupt the criminal networks that profit from human suffering.”
The U.S. government is doing a lot to fight trafficking. They have the Blue Campaign to tell everyone about it and how to help.
This problem is big, but fighting it together is crucial. Policymakers, law enforcement, and everyone else must work as a team. Their goal is to protect those most at risk.
Public Opinion on Illegal Immigration
Illegal immigration in the United States stirs up strong feelings. Polls show a mix of opinions on its causes and effects. Americans are divided on how to fix it.
Around 61% of people think illegal immigration is very serious. Over the years, worries have grown. Today, a big number of Republicans, at 91%, see it as a major concern.
More and more Americans are supporting a border wall. By 2024, 53% favored its construction, a rise from previous years. Some also think illegal immigrants commit more violent crimes, with 32% holding this belief, up from 21% in 2019.
Views differ on the economic side. Many do believe illegal immigrants take jobs Americans could fill. However, 62% think these are mostly jobs Americans aren’t interested in. The issue, then, is not so clear-cut.
“Just 28% of the public feels that illegal immigrants take jobs away from American citizens while 62% say they fill jobs that Americans do not want.”
There’s also a political split. More people lean toward the Republicans’ stance (41%) than the Democrats’ (31%). Majorly, Republicans believe illegal immigration is a big, national problem.
Overall, illegal immigration sparks a variety of opinions and concerns in the U.S. The issue is complex and far from being universally agreed upon.
Conclusion
Illegal immigration is a big issue in the United States, sparking debates about its effects and what to do about it. The number of undocumented immigrants has actually gone down in recent times. But, it’s still a big concern for many, calling for smart and fair thinking by all.
Throughout this piece, we’ve looked at lots of stats and studies showing the many sides of illegal immigration. We’ve seen how letting undocumented folks work legally can actually help. This gives a strong case for making policies that are well thought-out.
The U.S. faces hard choices around illegal immigration. We need to think about its impact on our society and economy. We also need to consider the well-being and rights of those who come here without permission.