The immigrant population in the United States has decreased for the first time in over 50 years. As of June 2025, the number of immigrants fell to 51.9 million, down from 53.3 million in January. This represents a decline of 1.4 million people, according to the Pew Research Center.

The drop in the immigrant population coincides with significant policy changes initiated by the Trump administration. Since taking office again in January, President Trump has implemented a crackdown on illegal immigration, which has included increased deportations and stricter border enforcement. The Department of Homeland Security reported that 1.6 million illegal migrants have voluntarily left the U.S. since Trump began his second term.

Mark Hugo Lopez, director of race and ethnicity research at Pew, noted that various factors contribute to this decline. He stated, "There are a number of possible reasons from the natural ebb and flow of immigrants, but also policy, which has made it harder to cross the border and also increased enforcement in the U.S., all of which could be shaping the immigrant population."

The immigrant workforce has also seen a reduction, with a loss of approximately 750,000 workers since January. The current immigrant population constitutes about 15.4% of the total U.S. population, a decrease from 15.8% earlier this year. Despite the decline, the U.S. still has the largest number of immigrants globally.

The Trump administration's policies have led to a significant decrease in unauthorized border crossings, which have fallen to levels not seen since the 1960s. In July, arrests of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border dropped to just under 8,000, compared to about 96,000 in December 2024, the last full month of the Biden presidency.

The administration has also focused on deporting unauthorized immigrants, with a goal of removing one million individuals per year. In the first 200 days of Trump's second term, more than 359,000 illegal migrants were arrested, and 332,000 were deported. The administration has also revoked around 6,000 student visas, citing criminal activity among some visa holders.

California remains the state with the highest number of immigrants, housing 11.3 million, or 28.4% of the national total. Texas follows with over 6 million. The Trump administration has targeted California with high-profile raids and legal challenges against state laws that protect undocumented immigrants.

The Pew Research Center's findings indicate that the decline in the immigrant population may be partly due to a decrease in survey participation among immigrants. The data reflects a complex landscape of immigration in the U.S., with ongoing changes in policies and enforcement shaping the future of the immigrant community.