Census counts 1.8 million more illegal immigrants living in U.S. under Biden

"The new data reflects the ongoing crisis at the border created by the Biden administration policies that are encouraging so many illegal immigrants to come into the country."

By Ben Whedon

Published: October 27, 2022 4:34pm

Updated: October 27, 2022 5:24pm

There are now 1.8 million more illegal immigrants living in the United States since President Joe Biden took office, census data reveals.

In total, the immigrant population, legal and illegal, has increased by 2.9 million since January 2021, according to the Washington Times. The Center for Immigration Studies estimates that 47.9 million immigrants, legal or otherwise, currently reside in the United States, comprising 14.6% of the population.

The current record from the early 20th century saw 14.8% of the population hail from other nations.

"The new data reflects the ongoing crisis at the border created by the Biden administration policies that are encouraging so many illegal immigrants to come into the country," said Steven A. Camarota, the lead researcher on the U.S. Census Bureau's monthly Current Population Survey, per the outlet.

Migrant encounters at the southern border have reached an all-time high, with border authorities encountering 2.4 million migrants in fiscal year 2022 and nearly 4 million under the Biden administration in total. The current asylum system allows for border authorities to release migrants into the U.S. while they await a court hearing to process their asylum claims, though many do not ever show up.

"We never had a situation where possibly a majority of people encountered at the border are released into the United States as a matter of policy," Camarota said. "That's a complete break with the past."

Under pressure from Republicans, the Biden administration has since attempted to pivot to a marginally more forceful approach to border enforcement, partially reviving the Trump-era "Remain in Mexico" policy by deporting Venezuelan migrants to Mexico while they await their court hearings. That program caps legal entrants from the country at 24,000.

Voters overwhelmingly disapprove of Biden's handling of immigration, with an average 35.6% backing his efforts compared to 60.2% who do not, according to RealClearPolitics.