Immigrants now represent almost a quarter of the U.S. population living in poverty, reflecting a significant increase over the past three decades. The immigrant poverty rate reached 22.4% in 2024, with non-citizen immigrants at 28.4%. In California, the poverty rate for foreign-born residents is 17.6%, while unauthorized immigrants have an even higher rate of 29.6%. Welfare dependency among immigrants is also notable, with 54% using welfare programs compared to 39% of U.S.-born households. The trend indicates a decline in upward mobility for immigrants historically seen in California since the 1980s.
The immigrant poverty rate fluctuates, but it has been rising in recent years, especially since the pandemic, reaching 22.4% for all immigrants in 2024.
In California, the overall poverty rate for foreign-born residents is 17.6%, with unauthorized immigrants facing an even higher rate at 29.6%.
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