Decoding the Decline: Understanding the Shift in California’s Unauthorized Immigrant Population

The recently released report from the nonpartisan Pew Research Center reveals a notable shift in the landscape of unauthorized immigrants in the United States. The focus of this report is on California, a state that has seen a decrease of 150,000 in its population of immigrants lacking lawful status between 2017 and 2021.

California Still Leads, Despite a Decrease

While the unauthorized immigrant population in California has experienced a decline, it remains the state with the highest number in the nation, standing at 1.9 million. This raises questions about the factors contributing to this decline and the overall trends in the United States.

National Trends: A Changing Scenario

The Pew Research Center’s analysis, based on the most current data from the U.S. Census Bureau and various government surveys, highlights a broader picture of the unauthorized immigrant population across the country.

States with Increases

Interestingly, only two states, Florida and Washington, witnessed an increase in unauthorized residents during the same period. Florida saw a rise of 80,000 people, while Washington increased by 60,000.

Changing Landscape

The report emphasizes that unauthorized immigrants have become less geographically concentrated. In 1990, the top six states, including Texas, Florida, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois, housed 80% of this population. However, this figure has now decreased to 56%, with implications for the distribution of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S.

Factors Influencing the Shift

The Pew Research Center attributes the decline in unauthorized immigrant populations to various factors, including policy changes, enforcement practices, and external events.

Temporary Permissions and Legal Status

It’s worth noting that among those counted as unauthorized immigrants, over 2 million people have temporary permission to be in the U.S. This includes individuals with pending asylum petitions, temporary protected status, and recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

Naturalization Trends

The report indicates a rebound in the overall immigrant population, partly due to pent-up demand for U.S. entry after strict enforcement during the Trump administration and pandemic-related closures. Naturalization numbers increased significantly, accounting for about half of all immigrants in the country.

Shifting Demographics

While the number of unauthorized immigrants from Mexico decreased by 900,000 to 4.1 million in 2021, immigrants from other regions, such as Venezuela, India, and Canada, experienced rapid growth. East Asia and India are highlighted as potential drivers of the increase in Washington.

The Road Ahead

It’s essential to recognize that the new estimates provided by the Pew Research Center do not capture changes since the surge in migrant arrests and expulsions that began in March 2021. These developments will likely shape future reports and discussions around the unauthorized immigrant population in the United States.

In conclusion, while California remains a significant hub for unauthorized immigrants, the recent decline and changing distribution across the nation underscore the dynamic nature of this demographic. The Pew Research Center’s comprehensive analysis offers valuable insights into the factors influencing these shifts and sets the stage for further exploration of immigration trends in the United States.

California is home to fewer unauthorized immigrants, report says.

How Many Immigrants are in California?

The population of immigrants without lawful status in California witnessed a significant decrease of 150,000 from 2017 to 2021. Despite this decline, California maintains its position as the state with the highest number of unauthorized residents, reaching 1.9 million. This data reflects the dynamic nature of immigration trends in the state and raises questions about the factors contributing to these changes over the specified time period.

Which States Have the Most Unauthorized Immigrants?

The states with the largest unauthorized immigrant populations, following California, include Texas, Florida, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois. Notably,

How Did Immigration Affect California’s Population in the 1990s?

In contrast to the recent slowdown in population growth, the 1990s saw a substantial impact of immigration on California’s demographic landscape. During this decade, California’s immigrant population surged by 2.4 million, marking a remarkable 37% increase. The subsequent decline in international immigration has been identified as a contributing factor to the recent deceleration in the overall population growth of California. Recent Census Bureau estimates indicate a renewed uptick in net immigration to California, reaching 126,000 from July 2021 to July 2022.

How Did Immigration Affect California’s Population in the 1990s?

In contrast to the recent slowdown in population growth, the 1990s saw a substantial impact of immigration on California’s demographic landscape. During this decade, California’s immigrant population surged by 2.4 million, marking a remarkable 37% increase. The subsequent decline in international immigration has been identified as a contributing factor to the recent deceleration in the overall population growth of California. Recent Census Bureau estimates indicate a renewed uptick in net immigration to California, reaching 126,000 from July 2021 to July 2022.

Why Are There So Many Immigrants in California?

The influx of immigrants to California has deep historical roots, predating the period of U.S. control. Notably, Spain’s dispatch of soldiers and missionaries to the region, which they named California, marked an early phase of migration. The momentum heightened after the United States annexed the Mexican province, with a significant acceleration following the 1848 gold discovery in the Sierra foothills. This historical context sheds light on the enduring factors that have contributed to the presence of a substantial immigrant population in California.

What is the Immigration Rate in California?

• California houses a staggering 10.5 million immigrants, constituting 23% of the foreign-born population across the nation.

• In 2021, the most recent year of available data, a notable 27% of California’s total population was foreign-born. This percentage stands nearly double that of the rest of the country, which sits at 14%, making California the state with the highest share of foreign-born residents.