Unauthorized immigrant population in the U.S. rose to a record 14 million in 2023, driven by migration from countries other than Mexico and two consecutive years of record growth. Population increases occurred in 32 states from 2021 to 2023, reducing regional concentration and shifting the demographic distribution. Six states — California, Texas, Florida, New York, New Jersey and Illinois — hosted nearly 8 million unauthorized immigrants, about 56% of the total. California led with 2.3 million and Texas followed with 2.1 million. Florida showed the highest share of unauthorized immigrants relative to its population at 7.1%.
Why it matters: The report highlights the historic rise in unauthorized immigrants during President Biden's first two years in office, fueling the backlash that helped Donald Trump's return to the White House as Latinos in South Texas began moving to the GOP. Polls showed that Latinos who said they support building a border wall and deporting all undocumented immigrants jumped by at least 10 points since 2021, after the significant increase in unauthorized immigrants began.
By the numbers: California, Texas, Florida, New York, New Jersey and Illinois were home to nearly 8 millionunauthorized immigrants in 2023, according to Pew Research Center estimates released Thursday. That's 56% of the total unauthorized immigrant population in the U.S, compared to 80% in 1990. The latest tally found that California led the nation with 2.3 million unauthorized immigrants, followed by Texas with 2.1 million - only a 200,000-person difference. That's a dramatic shift from 2017, when California had 1.2 million more.
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