India's Status As The Third Largest Illegal Immigrant Group In The U.S.

A recent investigation by the Pew Research Centre has brought to light that India holds the position of the third-largest illegal immigrant group in the United States. This comprehensive study, undertaken by a Washington-based think tank, reveals that the current scenario sees over 725,000 Indians residing in the U.S. without legal authorization.

Indian Illegal Immigrants at the U.S. Borders

Data obtained from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection indicates a substantial number of illegal Indian immigrants attempting to cross U.S. borders on foot. Between 2022 and 2023, approximately 6,917 Indians were apprehended, denied, or expelled from entry without proper documentation. Alarmingly, the number of such illegal entries surged during the pandemic, with encounters reaching 30,662 in 2021, 63,927 in 2022, and a staggering 97,000 in the current year. Of these encounters, 41,770 took place at the southern border, while 30,010 were at the Canadian border, depicting the challenging situation faced by Indian illegal immigrants attempting to cross into the U.S.

Illegal Immigrant Population Overview in the U.S.

A broader examination of the illegal immigrant population in the United States reveals that it reached 10.5 million in 2021, still below the peak of 12.2 million in 2007. Contrary to proximity, most illegal immigrants from India choose to reside in the United States rather than neighboring regions such as the Caribbean, Central America, Asia, Europe, and South America. The study also highlights the presence of illegal immigrants from other countries like Brazil, former Soviet Union nations, the Dominican Republic, China, Canada, and more.

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Distribution Across States: Where Illegal Immigrants Reside

Specific states in the U.S. have been identified as hosting a significant number of unauthorized immigrants, including Florida, California, New York, Illinois, New Jersey, and Texas. Notably, Washington and Florida have witnessed notable numbers of unauthorized immigrants, while Nevada and California have experienced a decline. In 2021, unauthorized immigrants constituted at least 4.6% of the U.S. workforce.

Regional Patterns and Global Impact

Reports indicate an increase in unauthorized immigrants from Honduras and Guatemala in the U.S. since 2017, reaching a total of 10.5 million in 2021, as per the Pew Research findings. This underscores the upward trend in authorized immigrant populations from regions like the Caribbean, South America, Central America, sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Conclusion: A Complex Immigration Landscape

In conclusion, the study emphasizes India’s position as the third-largest group of illegal immigrants in the U.S. Furthermore, legal immigrant populations in the U.S. have witnessed a substantial 29% increase, totaling over 8 million from 2017 to 2021. While the U.S.-born population, including authorized individuals, constitutes 14.1% of the overall U.S. population, it reflects a marginal increase over the past five years in the number of legally residing individuals.