U.S. Immigrant Population Shrinks for First Time Since 1960s

For the first time since the 1960s, the U.S. immigrant population has declined, shrinking by nearly 1.5 million between January and June 2025, dropping from 53.3 million to 51.9 million, according to Pew Research Center data. This decline coincides with President Donald Trump's intensified immigration crackdown, which includes increased arrests and deportations, stricter visa scrutiny, reduced asylum claims, and limitations on legal migration. While the unauthorized immigrant population reached a record 14 million in 2023, many in this group held temporary legal protections against deportation. Experts warn that this trend could have negative economic and demographic impacts, as immigrants constitute a critical segment of the labor force amid a stagnant working-age population. The reduction in immigrant numbers has been particularly notable in states like California, which has the largest share of both authorized and unauthorized immigrants and is a focal point of the Trump administration's enforcement efforts. Although some government officials praise the net outflow for easing pressures on services and improving job markets, concerns remain about the sustainability of economic growth without a growing workforce.