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

[Peter Stern]

The Hoax of Building Border Walls: maybe the government really wants illegals

by Peter Stern

It is estimated that the U.S. has an illegal immigrant population of 19 million. A large portion of that number is from Mexico. Most illegal Mexican immigrants come to find a better life, jobs and human rights. Consequently, we may consider that there would be no need for illegal Mexican immigrants to come to the U.S. if their needs were fulfilled in Mexico.

The U.S. could "persuade" the Government of Mexico to provide its citizens with a better way of life, e.g., better paying jobs and encourage human rights. It seems our own government does so haphazardly in places overseas, e.g., Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, etc., but never that much in Mexico. In fact, during the past decade our own rights as citizens of the U.S. have been manipulated and jeopardized by profiteers who seem to hold our lawmakers in their pockets.

Historically, border walls do not work, at least for the long term. For many years the Berlin Wall created a division of East and West Germany; finally it was torn down. Not even The Great Wall of China (parts of which are 25 feet high) could keep out invaders indefinitely and within many parts of the Great Wall are the "buried" remains --- the hearts and souls --- of millions of workers who died building it. However, we are told that the Great Wall failed, especially in "1644, when the gates at Shanhaiguan were opened by Wu Sangui, a Ming border general who disliked the activities of rulers of the Shun Dynasty. The Manchus quickly seized Beijing, and defeated the newly founded Shun Dynasty and remaining Ming resistance, to establish the Qing Dynasty." It also took millions of guards to monitor the Great Wall. So, these days some in the U.S. may say a positive aspect of building border walls is to create new jobs. Even "more jobs" is not a good enough reason to build border walls.

Border walls send out a terrible message. It is received by humans and animals, who are forced to accept them as a new part of life, which then creates many other difficult issues. Walls create unnatural prisons that force different patterns of living and create additional "walls" of hate and fear. The world does not need more "walls" along various borders. Along the border, walls between the U.S. and Mexico, depriving access to the Rio Grande River for humans (e.g., farmers, ranchers) and animals is another difficult issue.

However, even if the American people managed to persuade Washington officials to approach the Mexican government to provide its citizens with jobs, human rights and a better standard of living, will that government move to do so? It's doubtful.

And what if we persuade Congress to remove all border walls along our two nations? Would that benefit both nations significantly? That's doubtful too.

We have 19 million immigrants who have arrived in the U.S. illegally. They have all committed a crime. To do nothing about this illegal population is to permit the crime. What do we do about this illegal population? Permit them to remain? Encourage more illegal movement? Why then do we have immigration laws and regulations? These are tough questions to answer.

While most of the Mexicans who come into the U.S. illegally arrive at great risk seeking jobs, better living conditions and better lives for themselves and their families, there also is a small percentage of that population who arrive with criminal records and intent, who then work in the shadows of freedom as parasites within our society. While certainly not the majority nor even a large number who come, they become part of an unaccountable negative infringement on our daily lives.

However, contrary to popular belief, illegal immigrants are paying U.S. taxes. How many pay and how much they are paying is not clear. In reality, the illegal population in this nation pays a large chunk of social security taxes. In fact, for this and other reasons our government may secretly want more illegals. So why then build and maintain those border walls?

Bottom-line is that why build border walls if they are a detriment and how do we get the Mexican government to provide its citizens with a better life so that the ever-increasing population does not continue to enter the U.S. illegally?

The direction is not clear. We can communicate to our lawmakers that they should contact the Mexican government to initiate positive change, pushing for human rights; however, the history of that nation highlights that the Mexican government owns production and reaps vast fortunes at a large cost to its people. How do we force change that certainly will impede the future fortunes of the Mexican government and wealthy private citizens, change that will cut its profiteering?

Furthermore, how do we encourage our government to enforce our immigration laws? We can't even get our own government to enforce punishment (already provided for in our immigration laws) on American companies who hire illegal immigrants and who force that population to work in hostile conditions, with no benefits and at cheaper wages then are offered to U.S. citizens? Now that there are 19 million illegal immigrants living and working in the U.S. is it practical, and would we be able to enforce our immigration laws, to extradite that huge number? And at what cost [dollars, self sense of worth and world image] to do so?

We can also question our success in pushing for democracy and human rights in Iraq, Afghanistan and in other areas of the world [Africa, Far East]. After we leave that region will the governments we have helped support provide their respective populations with long-needed human rights and jobs with reasonable wages? It is doubtful.

Until we consider appropriately how to engage the Mexican government to change its historical and abusive political, social and economic ways, the population of that nation will continue to be undermined and treated poorly by their own government. They will continue to do anything and risk everything to leave their land of poverty and enslavement to search out better lives, under the dark of night, to live and work illegally here in the U.S. It is a vicious cycle that must be stopped, but how to do so intelligently and successfully remains a question.

So, what is the real purpose for building border walls? Do border walls serve a legitimate, positive purpose? Or do they send out a signal of hate and desperation?

Do border walls really work? No. They work only for the companies and people that build them, via earning money to do it. Otherwise, "Walls are for climbing over, digging under, or going through."

----

Peter Stern of Driftwood, Texas, , a former director of information services, university professor and public school administrator, is a political writer well-known and published frequently throughout the Texas community and nationwide. He is a Disabled Vietnam Veteran and holds three post-graduate degrees.

[mulatto chic]

you people have absolutley nothing better to do.

[jesica]

just because it’s illegal doesn’t mean its right!!!!!
and its PROVEN that immigrants make the U.S richer than poorer
get your facts straight.
just admit it you guys are racist. Don’t try to hide. It’s obvious. These people are HUMANS they are the same as you and I. They need help and you want to turn your backs on them.
you all just prove all the psychologist right that humans are SELFISH!!!!!!!
look beyond race, beyond, money look at the heart of mankind and just know that we are all the same

[Mortar wife]

Dear Krystal,

Going to mexico for vacation is nothing like being in a country illegally....

If you went to mexico for vacation you would be taking with you - your own health insurance, money made legally, taxes paid, and a passport, and the intention of coming home across the boarder legally. Also you would be boosting that countries economy legally from your spending there.

If you are here in the usa ILLEGALLY - you would be doing it, yes illegally, tracking across the desert, swimming or cast away in a truck bed etc, to earn money illegally, not paying tax, and using another countries health and school facilities.

With your money you would mostly send it back to mexico and not pay taxes, therefor bleeding the other country dry...

* I mow my own lawns, I clean my own house. I am better then the illegal imigrants, I came here legally, and I pay my taxes my bills and leave my money in this country*

Not the same thing is it!!!

[Mortar wife]

I am an immigrant, I came to the usa legally. My husband is an american soldier.

I have no patience at all for illegal immigrants.

If your country is so bad you have to flee, then stay and fix it.

If we got rid of all the illegal immigrants we would have more money, more jobs, more room in our prisons and less crime.

Thats the bottom line and all true.

I do have right for freedom of speech by the way because as I said I am a LEAGAL immigrant...

[nerva]

haha i couldn't agree more with you krystal

[KRYSTAL]

I only read some comments, and all I want to say to you people is that you people forgot how to treat people with respect and kind. Im so sick of you AMERICAN-CITIZENS thinking your better then everyone. A mexican can do much more then you will ever be able to!

I think MEXICO should built a border too and not let you white bitches go and have vacations in mexico! How would that make you feel?

[me]

ahh! where are the statistics for cubans?? we need to watch them to ya know!

[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.