The foreign-born population in the United States has reached an all-time high of 49.5 million, according to an analysis by the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS). This number marks an increase of 4.5 million foreign-born residents since President Joe Biden took office in January 2021.
Biden's presidency has seen a sharp rise in both legal and illegal immigration, with a record 137,000 foreign-born individuals arriving every month. In comparison, the monthly inflow of immigrants during the Obama and Trump administrations was at about 68,000 and 42,000 respectively. The monthly inflow under Biden far exceeds that of his predecessors and has contributed to the current record-high foreign-born population.
The CIS analysis also revealed that 15 percent of the U.S. population is now foreign-born, the highest percentage in American history. This growth has been primarily driven by an increase in immigration from Latin America, with over half of the new arrivals since Biden became president being from this region. Other regions, such as Sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean, and the Middle East, have also contributed to the influx of foreign-born individuals.
It is important to note that the actual size of the immigrant population, not just the number of border encounters or legal immigrant admissions, is what ultimately impacts the country. This unprecedented increase in the foreign-born population under Biden's presidency highlights the urgent need for immigration reform.
Not even a month ago, the Census Bureau predicted that it would take a decade for America to become 15% foreign-born.
Instead, we hit that THIS month, 10 years ahead of schedule.
What’s happening on America’s borders is not incompetence. It is a calculated criminal act. https://t.co/Uz8FBfAvfg
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) December 2, 2023
The American public has consistently expressed a desire for reduced levels of immigration, both legal and illegal. The latest survey from Rasmussen Reports showed that 56 percent of likely voters want legal immigration levels to be cut to at least 750,000 admissions a year, with a plurality even opting for fewer than 500,000 annual admissions. Additionally, 62 percent of likely voters oppose current immigration laws that allow for chain migration, where newly naturalized citizens can sponsor an unlimited number of foreign relatives for green cards.
The majority of likely voters also want to see immigration-driven population growth halted or slowed to allow for a more comfortable rate of population stabilization. However, without significant reductions to legal immigration levels, the foreign-born population is projected to reach a staggering 70 million by 2060.
The Biden administration has taken notable steps towards addressing the current immigration crisis, including implementing stricter border policies and increasing the number of refugee admissions. However, the record-high foreign-born population highlights the need for comprehensive immigration reform that addresses both legal and illegal immigration.
In light of the latest CIS analysis, it is clear that the current immigration system is not sustainable and requires immediate attention. The American public has expressed a desire for reduced immigration levels, and it is now up to policymakers to address this issue and work towards a more balanced approach to immigration. Without effective immigration reform, the United States will continue to see unprecedented growth in its foreign-born population, which will have far-reaching implications for the country’s economic, social, and political landscape.