U.S. population growth is slowing. The immigration crackdown is a major factor

"Congressional forecasters have lowered their projection of population growth over the next decade by 7 million people, in response to the Trump administration's immigration crackdown as well as falling birth rates. The U.S. population is now projected to grow from 349 million this year to 357 million in 2035, according to a forecast released Wednesday by the Congressional Budget Office."

"That's slower growth than CBO was predicting a year ago. The biggest reason for the downshift is the administration's aggressive effort to cut down on illegal immigration. The U.S. also admitted fewer foreign students in 2025, although the number of authorized green card holders is expected to increase over the next decade. In addition to slowing immigration, people in the U.S. are having fewer children, which is also putting the brakes on population growth."

The Congressional Budget Office projects U.S. population growth from 349 million this year to 357 million in 2035, a decrease of 7 million from prior forecasts. The projection reflects an administration crackdown on illegal immigration and falling birth rates. Fewer foreign students were admitted in 2025, though authorized green card holders are expected to rise over the next decade. By 2030, annual births are projected to fall below deaths, and the population would begin to shrink without immigration. Immigration also raises birth rates because foreign-born women have more children on average than U.S.-born women. Long-run forecasts of births, deaths and migration remain uncertain and small changes could significantly alter population trends and economic projections.

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