According to a recent report by the Pew Research Center, the number of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. has continually decreased from 2007 through 2016, based on the most recent statistics available. In 2007, Pew’s research indicates that there were approximately 12.2 million undocumented immigrants living in the U.S., but that as of 2016, there were only about 10.7 million undocumented immigrants living in the U.S.
About 7.8 million of undocumented individuals are part of the American civilian workforce. Six states are the home to 58% of unauthorized immigrants: California, Texas, Florida, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois. Between 2007 and 2016, the unauthorized immigrant population decreased in about dozen states, but rose in three states: Louisiana, Maryland, and Massachusetts.
New Study Shows Unauthorized Immigrant Population Decreasing
The biggest decrease in the number of undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. was among Mexican immigrants, who as of 2016 made up about half of the unauthorized immigrants living in the U.S. Those numbers decreased from almost seven million in 2007 to less than five-and-a-half million in 2016. Pew researchers attribute this trend to various factors, including a weaker U.S. economy, increased border enforcement, Mexico’s recession, and decreased birth rates in Mexico.
Nonetheless, the total number of unauthorized immigrants from other countries in the U.S. has not changed significantly, although there have been some slight increases in the number of undocumented immigrants present in the U.S. from Central America, including El Salvador, the Honduras, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic. The average amount of time that unauthorized immigrants have spent in the U.S. also has increased, to 14.8 years, up from 7.1 years in 1995. In fact, two-thirds of the unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. have been living there for more than ten years, as opposed to only 35% in 2005.
Peek Law Group dedicates a large part of its practice to helping both individuals and businesses resolve their immigration-related issues. Immigration law is a complex, ever-changing area of the law that necessitates legal advice from experienced immigration lawyers who keep up-to-date with all relevant changes in law and policy. We will work with you to achieve the most positive outcome possible in your situation. Call our office today and set up a consultation with our skilled immigration attorneys today.