US illegal immigrant population reached 14 million in 2023, India a top source

(UNITED STATES) The unauthorized immigrant population in the United States climbed to a record high of approximately 15.8 million in January 2025, then fell by about 1.6 million over the months that followed, according to the latest government-adjusted survey data and an August briefing by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem. The recent drop is tied to tougher enforcement, faster removals, and a new push for voluntary departure rolled out in early 2025 under President Trump’s second administration.

India remains among the top source countries for recent arrivals, alongside Mexico and several nations in Central and South America, though detailed country-by-country counts for 2025 are still being finalized. The size and speed of the swing in numbers is reshaping the policy debate and everyday life for families across the country.

Recent trend and scale

Pew Research Center estimated about 14.0 million unauthorized immigrants lived in the country in 2023, up from 10.0 million in 2021, reflecting a steep rise during 2021–2023. That climb continued into early 2025, reaching the all-time high in January.

By August 2025, DHS reported the total had retreated to around 14.2 million, marking the first sustained decline since the pandemic era. For border agencies and local governments, the shift has changed daily operations: agents report fewer crossings, cities report fewer new arrivals at shelters, and school administrators in some districts say new student enrollments have slowed.

Enforcement, operations, and DHS explanation

DHS points to stepped-up operations since January 2025 as the main driver of the decline. Measures cited include targeted removal campaigns, expanded use of expedited removal, and a high-profile international ad campaign urging people to return home on their own.

Secretary Noem said enforcement data shows the measures are reducing pressure along the southern border and inside the country. Supporters argue the strategy is restoring order. Critics warn the new rules sweep too broadly, risk wrongful removals, and could split families who have lived in the United States for years.

Key policy and operational changes (2024–2025)

• Aggressive removal operations beginning in January 2025, plus a multimillion-dollar international ad campaign urging people in the United States without status to self-deport.
• CBP One App discontinued and replaced by the “CBP Home App” as part of “Operation Homecoming.”
• Voluntary departure incentives, including $1,000 and a free flight for those who leave using the CBP Home App.
• A reported “zero releases” policy inside the United States in May 2025 after arrests between ports of entry (compared with large releases the prior year).
• A new registration rule effective April 11, 2025, requiring some immigrants to register with the U.S. government.
• Expanded expedited removal, including for certain minors, and $5,000 fines for unlawful border crossing.
• Proposals to expand E-Verify nationwide and to increase local police cooperation with federal immigration authorities under Project 2025 concepts.

The enforcement shift touches almost every stage of the immigration pipeline and has immediate operational effects: Border Patrol reported it released zero people into the U.S. interior in May 2025—down from 62,000 in May 2024—and illegal crossings between ports of entry fell to 8,725, a reported 93% drop year‑over‑year.

Registration rule and voluntary departure program

The new registration system is one of the most far‑reaching changes. Many people are already considered registered—those with green cards, parole, work permits, or pending court cases. Others must register or risk removal.

• Community groups say the system can be confusing for mixed‑status families.
• Lawyers warn that signing forms without advice could result in quick deportation.
• DHS says the rule aims at better tracking and faster triage: getting relief to those who qualify and removing people who do not.

The voluntary departure program via the CBP Home App allows eligible people to arrange a return home, with the government covering airfare and providing $1,000 in assistance. Officials say the goal is to offer a humane option that avoids detention and court backlogs while lowering the number of people staying without permission.

• Advocates worry some people may feel pressured to accept departure even if they have a strong asylum claim.
• For those fearing harm back home, the choice is complex and legal help is vital.

Worksite enforcement and E-Verify proposals

Proposals to extend E-Verify checks to all employers nationally are drawing attention:

• Supporters: a uniform mandatory system would reduce illegal hiring and remove incentives to cross or overstay.
• Critics: false nonmatches can hurt lawful workers; error rates, while small, can cause real harm if not quickly corrected.

Proposals also call for increased cooperation between local police and federal immigration authorities. Supporters say this will improve safety; critics worry it will discourage victims and witnesses from reporting crimes.

Geographic and demographic shifts

Even with the decline since January 2025, the geographic distribution remains familiar:

• Largest populations: California, Texas, Florida, New York, New Jersey, Illinois.
• California’s share has edged down compared with earlier years, visible in school enrollments, ER visits, and shelter use.
• Employers in agriculture, hospitality, and construction are adjusting hiring plans as audits and E-Verify checks loom.

On national origin:

• Mexico remains the largest single source.
• India is among the top source countries for recent arrivals, notably among visa overstays.
• Central and South America continue to account for a large share of recent border crossers.
• Asia (India, China, Philippines) remains a steady source — often via air arrivals followed by overstays.

Examples of how status can change:

• A student who finished a master’s degree but did not secure a work visa.
• A tech worker who lost a job while on a temporary visa.
• Small administrative slips—missed deadlines, denied extensions, or failed job offers—can turn lawful status into unauthorized presence.

Impacts on employers, families, and local services

Officials say the decline since January has eased pressure on schools, hospitals, and shelters and reduced costs for local governments. Business leaders see fewer available workers for hard‑to‑fill jobs.

• Industries reliant on unauthorized workers face choices: raise wages, automate tasks, or cut hours.
• Mixed‑status households—where parents might be undocumented and children U.S. citizens—face heightened fear and disruption to daily routines.
• Health clinics serving uninsured populations still report steady demand.

Civil rights groups and immigration advocates are challenging parts of the new approach:

• They warn expanded expedited removal can produce mistakes for people with language barriers or trauma.
• Including some minors in fast‑track removals raises concerns about sending children back to danger.
• Lawsuits are pending over executive orders and policies that limit asylum and narrow humanitarian protections.
• Courts are reviewing how far the executive branch can go without new laws from Congress.

Humanitarian programs and Project 2025 proposals

Proposals tied to Project 2025 include cutting or ending programs many families rely on, such as:

• DACA (protections for Dreamers),
• TPS (Temporary Protected Status) for Ukrainians and others,
• Other humanitarian visas.

Potential effects:

• Rolling back these programs could increase the number of people at risk of removal and cause family separation.
• Supporters argue changes would enforce the law and remove perceived loopholes.

Continuous vetting and data checks

DHS says all 55 million visa holders are under ongoing checks for possible violations, from overstays to criminal alerts. In practice:

• Reviews can be routine and end with no action.
• Some reviews lead to a Notice to Appear in immigration court or an ICE arrest.
• Employers that rely on international talent—tech firms, universities, hospitals—say uncertainty complicates planning.

What people should know and practical steps

For individuals and families navigating the current environment, practical steps can lower risk:

1. Keep proof of identity and immigration papers in a safe, accessible place.
2. Track expiration dates for visas, work permits, and travel authorizations.
3. Update addresses with the government on time so notices are not lost.
4. Do not skip court dates; missing one can trigger an order of removal.
5. Get a legal screening before using the CBP Home App or signing any departure form.
6. Confirm your employer’s I-9 and E-Verify documentation are correct; fix errors quickly.
7. Have a family emergency plan, including who can pick up children from school.
8. Follow updates from DHS and trusted legal organizations rather than social media rumors.

Advocates urge anyone contacted by an officer to ask to speak with a lawyer and not to sign papers they do not fully understand. Rushed signatures can carry long-term penalties.

Lawyers say the best first move for many is a case review: some people might qualify for relief they did not know about, while others may have no realistic option to remain.

Legal and political outlook

The political and legal fights are far from settled:

• Supporters point to enforcement milestones (the 8,725 illegal crossings between ports of entry in May and the May “zero releases” milestone) as proof that strong enforcement works.
• Critics emphasize due process and humanitarian costs: family separation, returns to danger, and wrongful deportations from error‑prone databases.

Courts across the country are reviewing challenges to new rules—especially those that limit asylum and narrow humanitarian relief. Outcomes could force changes to parts of the 2025 strategy or leave it largely intact.

Looking ahead:

• Further declines in the unauthorized population are expected if measures continue and courts uphold the rules.
• But trends are not guaranteed: injunctions, funding changes, or shifts in conditions abroad (conflict, economic shocks, natural disasters) can alter migration flows.

Guidance for recent arrivals and mixed‑status households

For Indian nationals and others who arrived recently, choices are now difficult:

• Some who planned to apply for asylum or work in a family business face longer timelines and fewer options.
• Others who crossed as minors face new rules that may speed their cases.
• Parents weighing the $1,000 travel grant against fear of return must consider impacts on U.S.-born children and the logistics of leaving (school records, bank accounts, leases).

Community groups advise:

• Keep copies of all documents and key dates.
• Stay in touch with trusted legal help.
• Consider whether voluntary departure via the CBP Home App is appropriate only after legal advice.

Official sources and final context

For official updates, DHS posts notices and policy summaries at https://www.dhs.gov. That site publishes new guidance, explains registration and removal procedures, and lists contact points for public questions.

The numbers that define this year—15.8 million in January 2025, followed by a retreat of 1.6 million—will frame policy debates through the end of 2025 and shape daily choices for families from Mexico, India, and beyond. The direction since January 2025 has been consistent: stronger enforcement, fewer crossings, and a smaller, though still large, unauthorized population. Lawmakers, courts, families, and employers will continue to shape and live with the consequences.