United States’ Foreign-Born Population Hits Record 46.6 Million in January 2022

A recent analysis of the Census Bureau’s monthly household survey by the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) shows that the total immigrant population (including illegal aliens and legal immigrants) grew 1.6 million through 2021 – hitting a record 46.6 million in January 2022. For context, this means that one-in-seven people residing in the United States are foreign-born.

The analysis includes all immigrants, defined for the purpose of the survey as all persons who were not U.S. citizens at birth. Unlike the fluctuating figures of new immigrant arrivals or illegal alien border encounters – the Census Bureau’s survey measures the actual number of foreign-born people living in the U.S. – “which is what ultimately determines immigration’s impact on American society,” according to CIS.

Steven Camarota, CIS’s Director of Research and co-author of the report, stated on the record number of foreign-born persons:

The enormous number of people now settling in the country reflects both our permissive legal immigration system and the decision not to control illegal immigration. Unfortunately, our national leaders seldom, if ever, ask the most important question: is this historic growth in the interest of the American people?

The recent and substantial growth in the foreign-born population shows a dramatic rebound following a lull during the Covid-19 panic. Between February and August of 2020, the number of immigrants (legal and illegal) in the country declined by 1.2 million due to travel restrictions instituted by the United States.

According to the analysis, Hispanic immigrants accounted for 1.1 million (70%) of the increase in the foreign-born population in 2021 – this indicates that a majority of the growth was likely due to illegal immigration following Biden’s failed leadership in securing America’s borders. “The federal government and outside researchers have estimated about three-quarters of illegal immigrants are Hispanic,” stated CIS.

Compared to the total population of persons in the United States, immigrants (legal and illegal) comprised 14.2% of the total population – this is the highest percentage recorded in 112 years. CIS speculates that if this trend continues, the immigrant share of the population will likely surpass the all-time highs reached during the “Great Wave” (14.8% in 1890 and 14.7% in 1910).

When the children of foreign-born persons are included in the calculations, there were 63.5 million ‘immigrants’ and children to immigrants who were under the age of 18 residing in the U.S. in January of 2022. This accounts for nearly one-in-five U.S. residents.

CIS concludes their fact-sheet with a breakdown of States with the largest increase in the immigrant population from Jan. 2020 to Jan. 2022, they are:

• Florida (up 531,000)
• Virginia (up 268,000)
• Texas (up 263,000)
• California (up 212,000)
• Indiana (up 205,000)
• Tennessee (up 198,000)
• New Jersey (up 183,000)

For the complete analysis, including study methods and comprehensive data and graphs, please visit the Center for Immigration Studies’ website.