According to a fresh evaluation from the Pew Research Center, the number of unauthorized immigrants residing in the United States soared to 12 million in 2023, marking two years of unprecedented growth under the administration of Joe Biden.
Most of these individuals either entered the U.S. unlawfully or overstayed their visa. The term ‘unauthorized immigrant’ applied by Pew extends to individuals who, after entering the U.S. legally, remain in the country under uncertain, unstable statuses.
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Approximately two million migrants entered the U.S. legally and were subsequently paroled or released into the country under programs like the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), or asylum. These programs are exclusive to immigrants already present in the U.S.
The surge of 3.5 million migrants in two years is the most significant on record. Reports indicate that under the current administration, the count of migrants residing in the U.S. with some degree of protection from deportation has seen an increase. An estimated 6 million immigrants without full legal status had some protection from deportation in 2023, a rise from 2.7 million in 2021.
This development follows earlier reports that the migrant crisis was exacerbated after Biden reversed some of President Donald J. Trump’s immigration restrictions pre-pandemic, such as the Remain in Mexico policy.
In July 2023, several groups of unauthorized migrants enjoyed some protections from deportation, including 2.6 million asylum applicants, 700,000 individuals who entered the U.S. legally after receiving parole, 700,000 victims of crimes or violence, 650,000 with TPS, and 600,000 enrollees in DACA.
According to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, approximately 1.6 million individuals without legal immigration status have exited the U.S. since the commencement of the Trump administration.