A recent study conducted by the Pew Research Center has shed light on the escalating numbers of unauthorized immigrants residing in the United States, indicating a significant increase in individuals residing without legal documentation, especially from countries beyond Mexico.
The report delineates that the total count of unauthorized immigrants not originating from Mexico surged to 6.4 million in 2021, witnessing a noteworthy spike of 900,000 since 2017. Among these numbers, Indians stand as the third-largest group, comprising a staggering 725,000 individuals, following populations from Mexico and El Salvador.
The data highlights a global surge, with the largest increments emerging from Central America, adding 240,000 to the numbers, and South and East Asia, contributing an additional 180,000 unauthorized immigrants in the US between 2007 and 2021.
US Customs and Border Protection data disclosed a concerning trend of undocumented Indian immigrants entering the country, with 6,917 individuals apprehended, expelled, or denied entry between October 2022 and September 2023. This rise in encounters correlates with the reopening of borders due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, the figures surged from 30,662 in the 2021 fiscal year to 63,927 in the 2022 fiscal year. Furthermore, 97,000 encounters occurred in the current year, with 30,010 at the Canadian border and 41,770 at the Southern border.
The study also highlighted that approximately 7.8 million unauthorized immigrants actively participated in the US labor force in 2021, a slight increase from 2019 but a smaller figure compared to the years between 2007 and 2015.
Geographically, states like California, Texas, Florida, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois harbored the highest concentrations of unauthorized immigrants. However, while Florida and Washington observed increments in their unauthorized immigrant populations, states such as California and Nevada witnessed a decrease.
Contrastingly, the report pointed out a surge in the lawful immigrant population, indicating an increase of over 8 million individuals, signifying a 29% rise. Additionally, the number of naturalized US citizens experienced a substantial upsurge by 49% in 2021, representing approximately half of all immigrants in the country.
These findings underscore a complex demographic shift within the US, illuminating the nuanced dynamics of immigration, lawful and unauthorized, shaping the nation’s demographic landscape.
As these statistics continue to evolve, discussions surrounding immigration policies and their implications are expected to remain at the forefront of national discourse, urging for comprehensive and empathetic approaches to address this multifaceted issue.
Sources By Agencies
