How many illegal immigrants are there in the United States?

We are lucky enough to receive many comments here on La Plaza each day, a lot of which are in response to items we post about the issue of illegal immigration.

Occasionally, commenters will post conflicting statements about the number of illegal immigrants living in the United States. In this post, we wanted to take a look at what the actual numbers are.

Due to the fact that illegal immigrants are, by definition, largely undocumented, exact figures are very difficult to obtain. The most up-to-date estimates -– which you can see here -– were calculated using figures from the Department of Homeland Security and the American Community Survey of the U.S Census Bureau.

According to those estimates, there were 11.6 million unauthorized immigrants living in the United States in January 2006.

The vast majority of those unauthorized immigrants were from Mexico: 57%. An additional 4% were from Guatemala and El Salvador. People from Honduras accounted for 2% per cent of that total.

People from the Philippines, India, Korea, China and Vietnam accounted for the remaining significant groups of unauthorized immigrants.

These figures undoubtedly have changed somewhat over the past year and a half, and we’d be happy to hear from any individuals or agencies that have different estimates.

In terms of the Latino population as a whole living in the United States, it now accounts for more than 15% of the population, according to the Department of Homeland Security in May.

In July 2007, there were 45.5 million Latinos living in the United States, making them the largest minority group in the country.

Photo: A view from behind the old border wall in Tijuana of the Department of Homeland Security's new  fence on the Mexico-United States border. Credit: Deborah Bonello / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[sandra]

I agree that undocumented people need to GET DOCUMENTED or GO BACK.

I agree that undocumented people need to pay a fine for coming here and NOT GETTING DOCUMENTED and GO BACK.

I agree that undocumented people need to learn English and GET DOCUMENTED or GO BACK.

BECOME A US CITIZEN OR GO BACK.

Is our citizenship process unclear?

[Alien Rants]

How many? Well, Pew Hispanic Center, U S Census, and Homeland Security all subscribe to the remainder or residual theory. You can thank Jeff Passel at Pew who used to work for the Census Bureau.
The notion is that illegal aliens are counted in the Census, less a 10% error factor.
So it is easy math: Total foreign born MINUS naturalized citizens MINUS green card holders MINUS long term visa holders EQUALS the illegal alien population.
They triangulate accuracy by comparing it to the border capture rate and assume that three get through our marvelous defense shield for every one the catch.
So, in order to believe the 11 million figure you must also believe that illegal aliens stand up to be counted during the census AND that the Border Patrol is catching 25% of illegals trying to cross.
Neither concept is plausible.

[Dennis Carr]

"I sorry to have to be the one to tell you, but this country has been under "foreign occupation" since europeans arrived to stay and is a country basically based on continued immigration and thus occupation by foreigners. Ask a native american. Argument null and void." "Oh, and by the way, nationalism is just fascism on a heavy dose of valium. I love this country as much as anyone. So don't even try and tell me who's a patriot, ok?" "Posted by: Scotsman for Liberty | July 26, 2008 at 04:14 PM"

No, like always, people that make up facts do it so well that you almost believe them. The very first "foreign occupation" were the "Native Americans" that came over either on the land bridge or by accident on boats that got carried away on the winds to South America. For what ever reason, the North American continent was without "human" beings for millions of years. Slowly, perhaps twenty million years ago they came and took the land. Next were the Spanish, who by passed the Northern part of the America's because of the reports of GOLD in Mexico/Aztec land. Plus being from the Mediterrian the North was to cold to conquer. We must have our comfort when trying to kill off a race of people. Then, the last of the "invaders" came from Europe! These people came not to rape, pillage and burn the land. They came to build, they came to progress, they came for religous freedom. Whatever the reason they worked together and made a great country. Now the "invaders" want to come and take it all for free. Only they don't come armed and ready for war, they use a economic war, working too cheap to support life, living in groups of ten or twenty to conserve what little money they get!

That is how they can be stopped, break the habit of having someone that is disease laden mow your lawn and pick your food.

E-Coli rages across the country and you people don't understand who is killing you!

Read the USDA reports, twenty/thirty times a month, E-Coli is rearing it's ugly head.

Take away their jobs and they will go home.

They never came to stay, nor learn the language, they came for the $$$$$$$$$ and that is all I can say about that.

[Postal67]

We have a saying in our town.

Illegal is Illegal!

What is so difficult to understand, you break the law, you get no deals, no free medical care, no free WICS cards, no free housing, NO NOTHING! Leave now!

How difficult is that to understand?

How about we use Chpter three of the Mexican Constitution?

"Chapter III"

"Foreigners"

"Article 33. Foreigners are those who do not possess the qualifications set forth in Article 30. They are entitled to the guarantees granted by Chapter I, Title I, of the present Constitution; but the Federal Executive shall have the exclusive power to compel any foreigner whose remaining he may deem inexpedient to abandon the national territory immediately and without the necessity of previous legal action."

"Foreigners may not in any way participate in the political affairs of the country."

[skylar]

Based on most reports given by the Home land security, business analysis, and others. It is estimated that the number of illegal aliens entering the US yearly is a min. of 3 MILLION.

Therefore it is impossible for the total figure to be 11, 12, 13 million because this figure has been growing for the last 17 years with it reaching 1 million as early as 1988.

The correct figure is around 25-35 million. The fake figure is purposely kept low as not to enrage the American public over the true invasion of their country.

The LA Times has had a heavy and dirty hand in participating in the dis information to the citizens of California.

[Proud_Americana]

For you xenophobes that have a problem with Latinos being the biggest minority group, you have your government to blame. If the government REALLY wanted to keep illegal immigrants out, they would make it far more difficult to earn a living and make it in US society. I don't know if most anti-immigration groups are aware, but being here in this country illegally isn't even a felony. Its merely a civil offense. The same type of civil offense that most Americans probably commit everyday by speeding on the freeway, illegally parking, driving under the influence, etc. If you feel that illegals should abide by the law, then you should take a look in the mirror and do the same. "People in glass houses shouldn't throw rocks."

All this illegal immigration frustration is understandable. But to target one group and blame all the countrys troubles on them (i.e. healthcare, the recession, the education system) is a bit fascist. Next thing I know, illegals and Latinos in general will be the blame for the war in Iraq. Don't blame society's ills on illegals, blame your politicians. They hold the power to steer this country in the direction they see fit.

[Dan Kubiske]

The problem figuring out the number of illegal immigrants started with the opening piece. You cannot use any figures from the US Census Bureau because the bureau does not ask the legal status of the people they interview.

Some think tanks have taken the census numbers, crunched them with loads of other sources and then come up with their own numbers. But no way the final numbers should be attributed to the census bureau.

The bureau does ask country of birth. But under that way of thinking John McCain would show up in those numbers because he was born on a US military base in Panama. Likewise the gov of California would show up.

I raise this because I tought journalism and I have had statisticians from the Census bureau in to my classes to show my students how to mine the depths of their databases. The one point the visitors to my class have stressed more than anything else is that the census bureau does not ask legal status of anyone.

So to my fellow scribblers, let's get it straight. You cannot get illegal immigrant numbers directly from the census bureau.

[Terry]

In 1986 it was estimated to be about 1.5 million illegal aliens. The 1986 amnesty granted close to 4 million.

Based on today's official numbers of 11.5 million, I would suggest somewhere around 24 to over 30 million illegal aliens are present in this country.

In 1986, the politicians promised they would never grant illegal aliens amnesty again. Based on the current politicians, they can't wait to grant amnesty.

In 1986, the politicians promised to enforce the immigration laws well they haven't.

Promise after promise and still no truth from this government or the elected politicians.. The public should hold the politicians to there promise or we should promise to replace this government with a honest one.

[David S.]

It's a tough issue. On one hand, citizens have every right to protest the actionsor inactions) of their government. If someone does not like seeing an influx of illegal immigrants in their area, they have every right to complain and seek change. On the other hand, their is something very inhuman about turning away people who are seeking the American dream just like the ancestors of citizens did.

The answer is somewhere in the middle. Pro-immigration groups want more humane treatment, and in some cases open borders...anti-immigration groups want papers only for those who come here with permission. Lost in the mix are the immigrants who aren't necessarily hunted down, but also can't enjoy a confortable life without worry.

The biggest issue on my list is to see the government increase its power to forcibly remove illegal immigrants who commit real crimes. Gang members, rapists, murderers...these are not the people we want as future citizens. Anyone helping real criminals reenter the country after they were deported for committing serious crimes are the people that need these harsh fines and penalties.

[hvnlyangel]

While I believe immigration should be allowed, there needs to be guidelines followed to become a citizen and those who do come illegally do need to follow the guidelines OBAMA mentioned. It has nothing to do with being a racist as another post tried to say. It has everything to do with following the rules to be here legally. If we just let people run across the border or sneak in on ships and say, "oh, that's okay. You made it now, so we'll take care of you" you might as well let everyone do what they want to do. If you are here illegally and want to remain in America, you have to follow guidelines. You are not special. American's follow laws everyday. Oh, and this is coming from someone who has family members who are part hispanic as well as friends and they are all here legally and if not, they should follow required rules if they want to stay.

[Stephen]

Every country has immigration laws that they enforce. The US is no different. When our economy was vibrant and robust, our enforcement of immigration laws were lax. We are now in a recession. Gas and food prices have soared. Americans are losing their jobs and homes. The US dollar is valued at record lows worldwide. We can't afford to absorb and support the poor and uneducated of the world. Unless illegal immigration is ended, it will threaten ALL immigration to this country. The US is bankrupt. Sorry but we are broke. The free ride is over. If you are poor and struggling in another country, stay there and protest to change that government. We can't allow illegal aliens to drain our resources meant for citizens. The free ride is over. No mas!

[Scotsman for Liberty]

I sorry to have to be the one to tell you, but this country has been under "foreign occupation" since europeans arrived to stay and is a country basically based on continued immigration and thus occupation by foreigners. Ask a native american. Argument null and void.
Oh, and by the way, nationalism is just fascism on a heavy dose of valium. I love this country as much as anyone. So don't even try and tell me who's a patriot, ok?

[Mike B]

Immigrants come illegally because they cannot make a decent living in their countries of origin. In many Latin American countries US policy in the region has historically contributed to reinforcing old and unjust power structures. Not to take any blame from the individual governments of Latin America, but if the US wants to end illegal immigration, the majority of which comes from Latin America, it would be far more cost effective to invest in the economic development of these countries and in promoting equality and opportunity within them.
It is a matter of national sovereignty that we are able to control our borders. But building a big fence is about the most expensive, ineffective and stupidest way of dealing with it that imaginable. So we knock down the Berlin Wall to build our own? Or is it OK to build a wall as long as it is to keep people out , not keep them in? I think it's more than a little hypocritical.
Declaring a national language is against the spirit of republicanism on which this country was founded. Sounds more like centralism to me. Do you like the central government deciding what you can and can't say? Or in which language? In my opinion, freedom of speech doesn't make a distinction about which language you use. Many states are effectively bilingual from an administrative services point of view. In Texas the voting ballot and most state documents are bilingual. So what? The issue shouldn't be about having national language, but making sure everyone can learn and speak English for their own utility. I think we should adopt a Canadian language model in heavily bilingual regions, and let other regions declare for English only. But it should be locally, not nationally.
I see the language issue as a fear related one, as much of the issues are. Fear of the other, or fear of loss of control, or fear of loss of the status quo. These are very natural human reactions that are well documented in immigration history in the US. First it was the Irish that we didn't want, then the Italians, then the Eastern Europeans, and the list goes on. And invariably every group comes in and adapts and assimilates, regardless of linguistic or cultural differences.
Unfortunately, there are events and circumstances going on here much bigger than national politics that need to be dealt with. It is an international issue that must be dealt with in an international and cooperative way to be truly solved. Until we understand that we will be dealing with this problem ad infinitum.

[Rico82]

Obama says undocumented people need to go to the back of the line.

Obama says undocumented people need to pay a fine for coming here.

Obama says undocumented people need to learn English.

Obama must be a racist.

[franks]

The government doesn't want us to know how many illegals are here, if they have a clue to the number. But since they've reported 12-20 million for ages while illegals continue to poor over the border or stay past their visas, believing that number is absurd.

[DISGUSTED WITH DEMOCRATS WHO ALLOW ILLEGALS TO STAY]

I agree totally, BUT, number !5! should be in the Number ONE spot!!!

Number !6! should be in the number THREE spot!!!

OUR ACCEPTABLE IMMIGRATION REFORM

Job #1. Build the Legislated Fence!!!
Job #2. Mandate E-Verify for ALL Employees!!!
Job #3. Mandate E-Verify for ANY Benefit!!!
Job #4. Stop the Underground Economy!!!
Job #5. End Birthright Citizenship for Illegals!!!
Job #6. End Chain Migration!!!
Job #7. Make English our Official Language!!!
Job #8. Cut Off Federal Funds to Sanctuary Cities!!

NOTHING MORE!!! NOTHING LESS!!!

[raoul lowery contreras]

The world is full of idiots, especially those posted here who make declarations about how many illegals are here without any proof whatsoever.

Then there are the ones who cry "criminals" when in fact immigration law is administrative not criminal. It only becomes a felony when they are deported for committing felonies and come back. It is so administrative and civilian that those vaunted National Guardsmen who wasted our money at the border couldn't even arrest an illegal, or ask them any questions. The military, you see, can't enforce civilian laws.

It is not even illegal to be in the country without papers.

The world is full of idiots. Apparently they all read the LA Times.

[Témoris]

Maybe there's something wrong with me and I tend to choose bad days. But everytime I come to La Plaza I find it full of fascists. Sometimes it's like a Mussolini's mass greeting the Duce. Other times looks more like three neonazi dogs barking from the darkness of the square.

That HernándezUSA guy should go back to where his parents came from. If he thinks that someone has a better right than others to live in California just because of the right of conquest, his ancestors didn't conquer anyone. But there are some who put so much effort in showing their will to keep those of their kin out of the US that what they reveal is their inner feeling of not belonging to anything, their desperate need to be accepted by those who despise them. If he thinks that Mexicans belong to South-of-the-border, then he's on the wrong side of the fence. He's calling himself illegal alien.

[Donna]

I read that there is more like 30 to 45 million illegals living in the united states. But we will know for sure when they are given amnesty in 2009 from either Obama or Mccain. Then more will pile in and there will be another amnesy and so on and so on and so on. We should vote out every pro amnesty politician.

[Southoc]

Enforce ourt laws NOW! DEPORT

[ray i]

Let us all admit it. The reason they want to come here is work. The goverment have to make very stiff fines to anyone employing illegal aliens. For instance, for first offense, $10,000 per illegal employee; then $25,000 plus jail time for second offenders; then for third offenders, close their business and forfeit all their asset.

Just like when we take illegal fish here in Florida, they take away anything associated with catching that fish (i.e. your boat, fishing rods, trailer, the truck that tows the boat and trailer).

We have to take away the reason they want to come here! That makes them to not want to come over.

[howard]

Doesn't matter unless you want to know how many amnesty papers you need to print. Ship them out one batch at a time. Mix that with workforce enforcement and they will begin to self deport, easy enough.

[Buzzm1]

-----------------I.C.E. DEPORTATIONS----------------
---2002-----2003------2004------2005-------2006------2007------2008(ends 9/30)
116,154--145,935--162,014--151,579--185,431--276,912-- 235,751

-------------I.C.E. WORKPLACE ARRESTS-------------
2002-----2003-----2004-------2005------2006-------2007------2008(ends 9/30)
-510------517-------845--------1296------4383-------4940------4449

SOUTHWEST BORDER PATROL APPREHENSIONS
Fiscal Year-------------2005---------2006---------2007-------2008 (ends 9/30)
Apprehensions----1,189,108--1,071,972-----858,638----578,774

[Buzzm1]

OUR ACCEPTABLE IMMIGRATION REFORM

Job #1. Build the Legislated Fence!!!
Job #2. Mandate E-Verify for ALL Employees!!!
Job #3. Mandate E-Verify for ANY Benefit!!!
Job #4. Stop the Underground Economy!!!
Job #5. End Birthright Citizenship for Illegals!!!
Job #6. End Chain Migration!!!
Job #7. Make English our Official Language!!!
Job #8. Cut Off Federal Funds to Sanctuary Cities!!

NOTHING MORE!!! NOTHING LESS!!!

[HernandezUSA]

The only reason the Latino population is so large is because of ILLEGAL ALIENS coming here in MASS daily.

[Jon K.]

There are more than 12 million illegal aliens in this country. The government does want everyone to know how bad the problem is while screaming about the importance of security in a post 9-11 world.

I'm all for legal immigration into the United States. My father is a legal immigrant, but these illegal aliens are CRIMMINALS and anyone suggesting otherwise has zero patriotism.

The situation is so bad. Sooner or later it's going to have to be corrected. The longer we wait, the more painful that correction is going to be for all parties involved.

[susan Slavis]

This is a totally imiganary figure!!! It's closer to #0 - 40 MILLION. 2000 illegals cross the border each day from just ONE check point.
Our wonderful country can't ask an illegals status, so tryagain on the figures. Do your homework.
Your number is the one Pro Illegals wat you to think. We are under a foreign occupation!