WASHINGTON, DC – In March 2024, the foreign-born or immigrant population in the United States, encompassing both legal and illegal residents, reached an all-time high of 51.6 million individuals, accounting for 15.6 percent of the nation’s total populace. This surge represents a substantial increase of 5.1 million individuals since March 2022, marking the most significant two-year rise in American history. Despite the common perception of immigrants primarily as laborers, recent data reveals that less than half of those who arrived in 2022 are currently employed. These insights are drawn from the government’s monthly Current Population Survey (CPS), although the data’s inherent margin of error introduces fluctuations. Nonetheless, the surge in the foreign-born population over the last two years remains statistically significant.

Additionally, since President Biden’s inauguration in January 2021, the foreign-born population has expanded by 6.6 million within a mere 39 months. Estimates indicate that nearly 58 percent of this growth under President Biden is attributed to illegal immigration. Projections suggest that if current trends persist, the foreign-born population will surpass 62.5 million by 2030 and 82.2 million by 2040—exceeding the combined populations of 30 states and the District of Columbia. Notably, recent immigrant arrivals encompass diverse demographics, including children, elderly individuals, individuals with disabilities, caregivers, or others not inclined or able to participate in the labor force. Despite their diversity, only about 46 percent of foreign-born individuals who arrived in 2022 or later are employed, similar to previous economic expansions. Moreover, recent increases in the foreign-born population reflect net growth, with the influx of new arrivals balanced by emigration and natural mortality. However, it’s worth noting that these findings likely underestimate the true number of foreign residents in the United States, indicating that the actual figure may be higher.