A new analysis from the Federation for American Immigration Reform estimates the number of undocumented migrants in the United States has grown significantly since 2020.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
The population of illegal immigrants living in the United States has risen to nearly 19 million, according to a new estimate released by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), a group that studies immigration policy and demographic trends.
In its latest analysis, the organization reported that the undocumented population reached approximately 18.6 million people. The group said the figure represents a sharp increase from its previous estimate at the end of 2020. According to the report, the population grew by about 4.1 million individuals over that period, a rise of more than 28 percent.
The estimate was detailed in FAIR’s most recent population analysis, which the organization published in its report on illegal immigration trends in the United States available here.
2025 Population Estimate by yourNEWS Media
“Since our December 2020 estimate, the illegal alien population in the United States has grown by 4.1 million, or 28.2 percent, reflecting an unprecedented wave of illegal immigration during the Biden administration,” the organization stated in the report.
The revised estimate is expected to factor into ongoing policy discussions in Washington as lawmakers debate immigration enforcement and deportation policies ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Some Republican officials have recently suggested adjustments to enforcement approaches after concerns were raised about how immigration policies are being perceived among certain voter groups.
House Speaker Mike Johnson commented on the issue during remarks on March 10.
“We got a little hiccup with some of the Hispanic and Latino voters, for certain, because some of the immigration enforcement was viewed to be overzealous,” Johnson said. “But here’s the good news: we’re in a course correction mode right now.”
The immigration debate also includes questions about how federal authorities should handle individuals living in the United States without legal status who are employed and do not have criminal records.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, who is expected to assume leadership responsibilities related to homeland security issues in Congress, has expressed opposition to broad legalization programs but has not publicly outlined a specific deportation strategy for the entire undocumented population.
The estimated number of undocumented immigrants exists alongside other immigration flows into the United States. In addition to those living in the country without authorization, roughly 800,000 immigrants enter the United States legally each year through permanent immigration channels.
The country also hosts a large number of temporary foreign workers. Approximately 2.5 million individuals hold temporary visas allowing them to work in sectors ranging from agriculture and seasonal labor to specialized professional roles.
FAIR said its estimate is higher than those produced by some other organizations because of differences in methodology and how certain populations are counted.
According to the group, the figure includes individuals who crossed the border without authorization but later received temporary documentation through policies implemented during the Biden administration. The organization also said revisions to federal population estimates influenced its calculations.
The report pointed to a change in methodology by the U.S. Census Bureau that adjusted how foreign-born populations are counted in federal surveys.
“The Census Bureau’s methodology change validates FAIR’s long-held position that official data, and organizations relying solely on that data, were dramatically undercounting the foreign-born, and thus the illegal alien population,” the report said.
The organization argued that previously used estimates based on surveys such as the American Community Survey and Current Population Survey relied on earlier population weighting that did not fully capture the number of foreign-born residents.
According to FAIR, those earlier estimates showed the foreign-born population surpassing 50 million people following several years of elevated migration levels. The organization cited reporting indicating that the recent surge in immigration has been described as one of the largest in American history.
Immigration policy continues to intersect with broader economic discussions in Washington. Supporters of stricter enforcement argue that reduced illegal immigration and increased deportations could affect labor markets, wages, and housing availability.
Economic data cited in policy debates has pointed to changing conditions in areas such as wage growth, inflation, and transportation costs. Market tracking data on energy and fuel costs can be found through commodities monitoring services such as Trading Economics.
Other analysts emphasize that immigration policies must balance labor market needs, border security concerns, and humanitarian considerations.
FAIR’s estimate adds another data point to an ongoing national discussion about immigration levels, enforcement strategies, and how policymakers will approach the issue in the coming years.
The topic is expected to remain central in congressional debates and political campaigns as the United States moves closer to the 2026 midterm elections.
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