US Immigration 2025

📊 The Big Numbers

53.3M

Immigrants in the US (Jan 2025) – all-time record high

−1.4M

Drop by June 2025 – first decline since the 1960s

77%

of all immigrants are here legally

14M

Undocumented immigrants (record, 2023)

🔍 5 Key Findings (Pew Research, Aug 2025)

📉

First decline in 60+ years

More immigrants left or were deported than arrived. The immigrant population shrank for the first time since the 1960s.

🌎

Shifting origins

More newcomers from South America (20%, up from 13%). Fewer from Asia (24%, down from 29%) and Africa (5%, down from 8%).

💼

19% of the US workforce is immigrant

That's over 750,000 fewer than in January. Construction (34%), agriculture, and healthcare are hit hardest.

😟

Fear is rising

43% of immigrants say they worry "a lot or some" – up from 33% in March 2025. Interior raids and deportations are the main reason.

🏙️

Cities depend on immigrants

Places like Las Vegas and Orlando only grew because of immigration. Without immigrant labour, many cities and rural regions face population decline.

🗳️

Public opinion: divided

50% of Americans disapprove of Trump's immigration approach (Jan 2026, up from 45% in May 2025). Support is falling.

🚧 Border Encounters: The Dramatic Drop

FY 2022 – Record high 2,200,000

2.2 million

FY 2023 2,000,000

2.0 million

FY 2024 (Biden tightens mid-year) 1,500,000

1.5 million

FY 2025 – Lowest since 1970 237,538

237K ↓ −89%

Since February 2025 (Trump's return): fewer than 10,000 border encounters per month – lower than during COVID.

📋 Presidents Compared: Immigration at a Glance

President	Avg. Border Encounters / yr	Deportations / yr	Key Approach	Verdict
Obama (2012–16)	~550,000	~240,000 (record)	High deportations + DACA for "Dreamers"	Mixed
Trump 1 (2017–20)	~450,000	~220,000	Zero-tolerance, family separation, border wall	Restrictive
Biden (2021–24)	~1.7M (peaked at 2.2M)	~175,000	Open initially → tightened mid-2024	Open → Tightening
Trump 2 (2025–)	~237,000 FY2025	Goal: 1M/yr; rising sharply	181 exec. orders in 100 days, military, interior raids, El Salvador prison	Most restrictive in 50+ yrs

💬 What the Experts Say

"If we want the type of economic growth we historically consider successful, we are going to have to increase inflows of immigrants. There is no real way around that."

Michael Strain – Director, American Enterprise Institute (AEI)

"There is no question the US economy will get smaller as you deport a lot of the workforce. Fewer people means a smaller economy."

Kent Smetters – Professor, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

"We need immigration. Foreign-born workers are critical to the labour force – especially as the population is aging."

Stephanie Roth – Chief Economist, Wolfe Research

"These analyses miss the forest for the trees by not accounting for the immense costs illegal immigration imposes on everyday Americans: crime, rising housing costs, eroding social trust."

Kush Desai – White House Spokesman (counter-argument)

🗣 Discussion Questions

FactWhy did the US immigrant population decline in 2025 for the first time in over 60 years? Name two causes.
FactHow does Trump's second term differ from his first when it comes to immigration policy? Give two specific examples.
Your OpinionEconomists say the US needs immigrants to grow. The White House says immigration has costs. Which side do you find more convincing – and why?
Your OpinionShould a country have the right to decide exactly who can enter? Where does national sovereignty end and humanitarian responsibility begin?
Connect to the bookThink of Julia from "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter." How would she feel reading these 2025 statistics? What would have changed for her?

📝 Student Worksheet

US Immigration 2025 – Worksheet

Englisch LK · Jgst. 12 · Unit 5

Name:

Date: Class:

Part A – Fill in the Blanks

1. In January 2025, the US had a record million immigrants – the first time the number had been that high.

2. By June 2025, the population dropped by million – the first since the 1960s.

3. About % of immigrants in the US are here legally; % are undocumented.

4. Border encounters in FY 2025 fell to – the lowest level since .

5. Trump issued executive immigration actions in his first 100 days back in office.

Part B – Multiple Choice (Circle the correct answer)

1. The share of the US workforce that is immigrant (June 2025):

15% 19% 25% 34%

2. Which president had the highest average border encounters?

Obama Trump 1 Biden Trump 2

3. The Wharton economist Kent Smetters argues that mass deportation will:

Boost wages for all Shrink the US economy Reduce inflation Have no effect

Part C – Short Answer (2–3 sentences each)

1. What two economic sectors are most affected by the decline in immigrant workers?

2. In your own words: why do most economists say the US needs immigration?

Part D – Quote Analysis

Read the two quotes from the lesson. Fill in the table and then give your own view.

Speaker	Main Argument (in your own words)	Do you agree? Why / Why not?
Michael Strain (AEI)
White House (Desai)

Part E – Your Opinion (5–8 sentences · for homework or in class)

Choose ONE:

Option A: "The US cannot function without immigration." Do you agree? Use at least two facts from the worksheet.

Option B: Imagine you are Julia from the novel. Write 5–8 sentences about how you feel reading the 2025 statistics.

Sources: Pew Research Center Aug 2025 · CNBC · CNN Business · Baker Institute · US CBP · Classroom resource March 2026