A study conducted by a Washington-based think tank, the Center for Immigration Studies, revealed that the total foreign-born population in the US, encompassing both legal and illegal immigrants, reached a record high of 49.5 million in October 2023. This marked an unprecedented increase of 4.5 million since President Joe Biden took office in 2021.
Highlighting the substantial surge, the immigrant or foreign-born share of the US population has hit 15 per cent, the highest figure recorded in American history. The study, citing an October 2023 Census Bureau survey, showcased the significant growth, which surpasses the entire populations of 25 US states.
The report indicated that the foreign-born population expanded at an average rate of 137,000 individuals per month during Biden's tenure, compared to 42,000 per month during Donald Trump's presidency before the onset of Covid-19 and 68,000 per month during Barack Obama's two terms.
A substantial portion, possibly more than half, of the 4.5 million rise in the foreign-born population since January 2021 is attributed to illegal immigration, based on the think tank's previous estimates.
The study shed light on the Department of Homeland Security's data, revealing that about 2.6 million to 2.7 million inadmissible aliens were released into the country since the beginning of the Biden administration. Additionally, court records and DHS information indicated roughly eight million "encounters" at US borders from January 2021 to October 2023.
While illegal immigration contributes significantly to recent foreign-born population growth, legal immigrants still constitute three-fourths of the total foreign-born population. The study noted that a considerable number of new illegal immigrants, potentially the majority before the current border surge, initially entered the US legally on temporary visas or under the visa waiver program and then exceeded their authorized stay.
Analysis of Department of Homeland Security data for FY 2022 unveiled that 850,000 foreign visitors overstayed their authorized stay in that year.
The study further outlined notable percentage increases in immigrants from South America (up 28 per cent), Central America (up 25 per cent), Sub-Saharan Africa (up 21 per cent), the Caribbean (up 20 per cent), and the Middle East (up 14 per cent) since January 2021. Immigrants from Latin America accounted for a significant increase, constituting 63 per cent of the total rise in the foreign-born population.
The Census Bureau's definition of the foreign-born encompassed individuals who were not US citizens at birth, including naturalized citizens, lawful permanent residents, long-term temporary visitors, and illegal immigrants.
(With Agency Inputs)
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