The percentage of illegal aliens who are Mexican in the U.S. was 37% in 2022, a significant decrease from 6.9 million in 2007 to 4.0 million, according to Pew Research Center estimates. This article on gaymexico.net aims to provide a deeper understanding of these demographics, especially within the context of cultural connections and travel considerations for the LGBTQ+ community. We’ll explore the factors contributing to these trends and the implications for various communities, including the LGBTQ+ Mexican diaspora, highlighting resources like immigration trends, demographic shifts, and community insights.
1. What Factors Influence the Number of Mexican Unauthorized Immigrants?
Several factors have contributed to the decrease in the number of Mexican unauthorized immigrants in the U.S.:
- Decline in Migration: There has been an overall decline in migration from Mexico to the U.S.
- Return Migration: Some Mexican immigrants have returned to Mexico.
- Legal Immigration Opportunities: Expanded opportunities for legal immigration from Mexico and other countries, particularly for temporary agricultural workers, have emerged.
These factors collectively contribute to the changing demographics of unauthorized immigrants in the United States.
2. What is the Current Size of the Unauthorized Immigrant Population in the U.S.?
According to the Pew Research Center, the unauthorized immigrant population in the United States grew to 11.0 million in 2022. This represents an increase from 10.5 million in 2021, reversing a long-term downward trend observed from 2007 to 2019.
3. What are the Key Demographic Changes in the Unauthorized Immigrant Population?
Key demographic changes include:
- Decrease in Mexican Immigrants: The number of unauthorized immigrants from Mexico has decreased.
- Growth from Other Regions: The unauthorized immigrant population from nearly every other region of the world has grown, including the Caribbean, South America, Asia, Europe, and sub-Saharan Africa.
- State-Level Changes: The unauthorized immigrant population has grown in several states, including Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Texas, while decreasing only in California.
These shifts indicate a diversification of the unauthorized immigrant population in the U.S.
4. How Does the Pew Research Center Estimate Unauthorized Immigrants?
The Pew Research Center employs a “residual method” to estimate the unauthorized immigrant population:
- Estimate the total number of immigrants living in the country using data from U.S. censuses and government surveys, such as the American Community Survey and the Current Population Survey.
- Estimate the number of immigrants living in the U.S. legally using official counts of immigrant and refugee admissions along with other demographic data.
- Subtract the estimate of lawful immigrants from the estimate of the total immigrant population to derive an initial estimate of the unauthorized immigrant population.
This method is similar to those used by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and other organizations.
5. What Categories of Immigrants are Included in the Unauthorized Immigrant Population?
The unauthorized immigrant population includes individuals who are not in the following groups:
- Immigrants admitted for lawful residence (green card holders)
- Refugees
- People granted asylum
- Former unauthorized immigrants granted legal residence under the 1985 Immigration Reform and Control Act
- Immigrants who have become naturalized U.S. citizens
- Individuals admitted as lawful temporary residents under specific visa categories (e.g., foreign students, guest workers)
It’s important to note that the Pew Research Center’s estimate includes immigrants with temporary protection from deportation, such as those with pending asylum applications or Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
6. What Impact Do Border Encounters Have on the Unauthorized Immigrant Population?
U.S. immigration authorities have encountered a large number of migrants at the border since July 2022. While many are detained and denied entry, some are allowed to remain in the U.S. temporarily. These border encounters and subsequent actions by immigration authorities can influence the size and composition of the unauthorized immigrant population.
7. How Has the Composition of the U.S. Immigrant Population Changed Over Time?
The composition of the U.S. immigrant population has undergone significant changes:
- Growth of Lawful Immigrants: The lawful immigrant population has steadily grown, driven by an increase in naturalized citizens.
- Decline in Unauthorized Immigrants from Mexico: The number of unauthorized immigrants from Mexico has decreased, while numbers from other regions have increased.
- Shift in Geographic Concentration: The unauthorized immigrant population has become less geographically concentrated, with the top states accounting for a smaller share of the total.
These shifts reflect broader trends in immigration patterns and policies.
8. What Role Does Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Play in the Unauthorized Immigrant Population?
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) allows migrants from countries facing war, natural disasters, or other crises to live and work in the U.S. and avoid deportation. While the population eligible for or receiving TPS has recently increased, most of these individuals were already in the country as of July 2022 and do not contribute to growth in the unauthorized immigrant population.
9. What is the Significance of DACA for Unauthorized Immigrants?
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) provides protection from deportation to unauthorized immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children before their 16th birthday and were in the U.S. on June 15, 2012. While the number of DACA recipients has decreased over time, these individuals are included in the unauthorized immigrant population estimates.
10. How Do T and U Visas Affect the Unauthorized Immigrant Population?
T and U visas are available for victims of certain crimes who assist law enforcement. The backlogs for these visas have increased, and individuals in this backlog are considered part of the unauthorized immigrant population. This highlights the intersection of immigration status and victimization.
11. How has the U.S. unauthorized immigrant population changed recently?
Line chart showing the number of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. grew from 2019 to 2022
Since July 2022, a large number of new unauthorized immigrants have arrived in the country but have protection from deportation, according to a Pew Research Center review of federal immigration data. The counts in these various categories cannot simply be added to the estimated unauthorized immigrant population for 2022. Some new immigrants may appear in multiple categories, and there are offsetting changes from outmigration, deaths of unauthorized immigrants and transitions to lawful immigration statuses. Here are the main groups of unauthorized immigrants with protection from deportation and how the numbers have changed since July 2022:
Asylum applicants. The backlog of affirmative asylum cases increased from about 500,000 as of June 30, 2022, to more than 1.1 million at the end of 2023. Since each case can include more than one person, we estimate that these additional cases added 870,000 immigrants to the backlog at the end of 2023. Most of these people are new arrivals to the U.S. During this period, the backlog for defensive asylum grew by about 120,000 people, from about 900,000 to 1 million people.
CHNV parolees. A program started in October 2022 allows people living in Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela to apply to enter the U.S. as parolees. The program began full operation in January 2023. By the end of 2023, about 320,000 new immigrants had entered the country under CHNV parole.
Uniting for Ukraine (U4U). Created in April 2022, this program allows Ukrainian citizens and their families to live in the U.S. on a temporary basis under certain conditions. More than 175,000 Ukrainians had been admitted on a two-year parole as of January 2024.
Victims of human trafficking and other crimes. The backlogs for T and U visas increased by about 50,000 people from July 2022 through December 2023.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The population of immigrants eligible for or receiving TPS recently increased to about 1.2 million. Most of these people were already in the country as of July 2022, so they do not contribute to growth in the unauthorized immigrant population.
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). At the end of 2023, about 530,000 people had DACA status. These individuals are in our unauthorized immigrant population estimates for 2022.
12. What is the regional composition of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S.?
Bar chart showing that the U.S. unauthorized immigrant populations from most world regions grew from 2019 to 2022
The total number of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. from countries other than Mexico grew rapidly between 2019 and 2022, from 5.8 million to 6.9 million. The number of unauthorized immigrants from almost every world region increased. The largest increases were from the Caribbean (300,000) and Europe and Canada (275,000). One exception was Central America, which had led in growth until 2019 but saw no change after that. After Mexico, the countries with the largest unauthorized immigrant populations in the U.S. in 2022 were:
- El Salvador (750,000)
- India (725,000)
- Guatemala (675,000)
- Honduras (525,000)
13. Which States Do Unauthorized Immigrants Call Home?
Heat map showing the U.S. unauthorized immigrant population by state, 2022
Most U.S. states’ unauthorized immigrant populations stayed steady from 2019 to 2022. However, six states showed significant growth:
- Florida (+400,000)
- Texas (+85,000)
- New York (+70,000)
- New Jersey (+55,000)
- Massachusetts (+50,000)
- Maryland (+40,000)
California (-120,000) is the only state whose unauthorized immigrant population decreased.
The six states with the largest unauthorized immigrant populations in 2022 were:
- California (1.8 million)
- Texas (1.6 million)
- Florida (1.2 million)
- New York (650,000)
- New Jersey (475,000)
- Illinois (400,000)
14. What share of the U.S. workforce consists of unauthorized immigrants?
Line chart showing the number of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. workforce grew rapidly from 2019 to 2022
The number of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. workforce grew from 7.4 million in 2019 to 8.3 million in 2022. The 2022 number equals previous highs in 2008 and 2011. Unauthorized immigrants represent about 4.8% of the U.S. workforce in 2022. This was below the peak of 5.4% in 2007. The share of unauthorized immigrants in the workforce varied across states in 2022. Nevada (9%), Texas (8%), Florida (8%), New Jersey (7%), California (7%) and Maryland (7%) had the highest shares, while fewer than 1% of workers in Maine, Montana, Vermont and West Virginia were unauthorized immigrants.
15. What is the legal terminology related to “illegal aliens”?
The term “unauthorized immigrant” is often used by academic researchers and policy analysts. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security also generally uses this term, which means the same thing as “undocumented immigrants,” “illegal immigrants,” and “illegal aliens.” It is crucial to use respectful and accurate language when discussing immigration issues.
16. What are the implications of these demographic trends for LGBTQ+ Mexicans?
These demographic shifts have implications for LGBTQ+ Mexicans in the U.S., influencing community dynamics, resource allocation, and cultural identity. Understanding these trends can help organizations and community leaders better address the needs of this population.
17. How Can Gaymexico.net Help LGBTQ+ Individuals Interested in Mexico?
Gaymexico.net serves as a comprehensive resource for LGBTQ+ individuals interested in Mexico, offering:
- Travel Guides: Detailed guides to LGBTQ+-friendly cities and regions in Mexico, such as Puerto Vallarta, Mexico City, and Cancun.
- Event Listings: Information on LGBTQ+ events, festivals, and gatherings in Mexico.
- Community Connections: Resources for connecting with local LGBTQ+ communities in Mexico.
- Cultural Insights: Articles and information on LGBTQ+ culture and history in Mexico.
By providing these resources, gaymexico.net aims to promote safe, informed, and enriching travel experiences for LGBTQ+ individuals in Mexico.
18. How does the population of unauthorized immigrants break down by country of origin?
Line chart showing that Mexicans have been a minority of unauthorized immigrants since 2017 but are by far the largest group
The 4.0 million unauthorized immigrants from Mexico living in the U.S. in 2022 was the lowest number since the 1990s. In 2022, Mexico accounted for 37% of the nation’s unauthorized immigrants, by far the smallest share on record.
19. What is the Composition of the U.S. immigrant population
Immigrants made up 14.3% of the nation’s population in 2022. As of 2022, unauthorized immigrants represented 3.3% of the total U.S. population and 23% of the foreign-born population. Meanwhile, the lawful immigrant population grew steadily from 24.1 million in 2000 to 36.9 million in 2022. As a result, in 2022, 49% of all immigrants in the country were naturalized U.S. citizens.
20. Who lives with unauthorized immigrants?
Unauthorized immigrants live in 6.3 million households that include more than 22 million people. These households represent 4.8% of the 130 million U.S. households. Almost 70% of these households are considered “mixed status,” meaning that they also contain lawful immigrants or U.S.-born residents.
Of the 22 million people in households with an unauthorized immigrant, 11 million are U.S. born or lawful immigrants.
About 4.4 million U.S.-born children under 18 live with an unauthorized immigrant parent.
FAQ Section
1. What is the definition of an unauthorized immigrant?
An unauthorized immigrant is someone who is residing in the U.S. without legal permission, meaning they are not a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or in a temporary legal status such as a student visa or work visa.
2. How does the Pew Research Center estimate the number of unauthorized immigrants?
The Pew Research Center uses a residual method, which involves estimating the total number of immigrants in the U.S. and subtracting the number of legal immigrants. The remaining number is the estimated unauthorized immigrant population.
3. What percentage of illegal aliens are Mexican in the U.S. currently?
In 2022, Mexican immigrants constituted 37% of the unauthorized immigrant population in the United States.
4. Has the number of unauthorized immigrants from Mexico increased or decreased in recent years?
The number of unauthorized immigrants from Mexico has decreased from a peak of 6.9 million in 2007 to 4.0 million in 2022.
5. Which states have the largest populations of unauthorized immigrants?
As of 2022, the states with the largest populations of unauthorized immigrants are California, Texas, and Florida.
6. How does Temporary Protected Status (TPS) affect the unauthorized immigrant population?
TPS provides temporary legal status and work authorization to immigrants from designated countries facing conditions that prevent their safe return. People with TPS are still considered part of the unauthorized immigrant population, though they have temporary protection from deportation.
7. What is DACA, and how does it relate to unauthorized immigration?
DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, is a program that provides temporary protection from deportation and work authorization to certain unauthorized immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children. DACA recipients are included in the unauthorized immigrant population.
8. How do border encounters influence the unauthorized immigrant population?
Border encounters can influence the unauthorized immigrant population as some migrants encountered at the border are allowed to enter the U.S. temporarily, while others are denied entry.
9. Are unauthorized immigrants part of the U.S. labor force?
Yes, unauthorized immigrants are part of the U.S. labor force. In 2022, they represented about 4.8% of the U.S. workforce.
10. Where can I find more information about LGBTQ+ travel and culture in Mexico?
Visit gaymexico.net for comprehensive resources on LGBTQ+ travel, events, community connections, and cultural insights in Mexico.
We invite you to explore gaymexico.net for more detailed travel guides, event listings, and resources to connect with the LGBTQ+ community in Mexico. Whether you are planning a trip or seeking cultural insights, we are here to assist. Contact us at Address: 3255 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010, United States. Phone: +1 (213) 380-2177 or visit our website at gaymexico.net for more information.
