U.S. Unauthorized Immigrant Population Reaches Record 14 Million in 2023, Florida Leads State Growth

The unauthorized immigrant population in the United States surged to a record 14 million in 2023, marking a significant 3.5 million increase since 2021. This unprecedented growth, as reported by the Pew Research Center, represents the largest two-year rise on record. The Center's analysis indicates that the expansion was largely influenced by policy changes that granted temporary protection from deportation to a substantial portion of this population.

According to data from the Pew Research Center, 32 states experienced increases in their unauthorized immigrant populations between 2021 and 2023. The states with the most substantial growth were Florida, adding 700,000 individuals, Texas with an increase of 450,000, California gaining 425,000, and New York seeing a rise of 230,000. This highlights a broad geographical impact of recent immigration trends.

A key factor contributing to this increase is the rise in individuals holding temporary protections from deportation, such as asylum seekers and those paroled into the country. Approximately 6 million unauthorized immigrants in 2023 had some form of protection, a sharp increase from 2.7 million in 2021. These protections, often under Biden administration policies, allowed many to remain in the U.S. while their cases were pending.

The composition of the unauthorized immigrant population has also shifted, with a notable increase in individuals from countries other than Mexico. While Mexico remains the largest country of origin, its share of the total unauthorized population dropped to 30% in 2023, the lowest on record. Significant growth was observed among populations from South America, Central America, and the Caribbean.

Pew Research Center, which has tracked these populations for over two decades using a "residual method," noted that while the population continued to grow into early 2024, preliminary data suggests a potential decline in 2025. This projected shift is attributed to more restrictive immigration policies and increased deportations under the new Trump administration. Despite any potential future decline, the 2023 figures underscore a significant demographic shift.