Illegal Immigration Surges Under Biden Administration

A staggering 18.6 million illegal immigrants now reside in the United States, according to a new report by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR). This marks a sharp increase of 4.1 million people since the end of President Donald Trump’s first administration, when the figure stood at 14.5 million.

“Americans have seen the impact of the illegal immigration crisis play out in their communities all across the country. This new report provides hard data on the enormity of the illegal immigration surge that took place as a result of policies put in place by the Biden administration,” said FAIR President Dan Stein.

Stein noted that while President Trump is already working to curb the flow of illegal immigrants, the report highlights just how much damage has been done—and how much work remains to remove those who entered under Biden’s lax policies.

How FAIR Calculates the Numbers

FAIR’s estimate of 18.6 million illegal immigrants is on the higher end compared to other studies, but the organization argues its methods paint a more accurate picture of the situation.

The group bases its figures on Census Bureau data, but unlike other estimates, it adjusts for what it describes as a significant undercount of illegal immigrants. FAIR claims that recent trends and the Census Bureau’s own admissions about undercounting justify its more aggressive approach.

The report also includes individuals who entered the U.S. through legally questionable “parole” programs implemented by Biden’s administration and those protected under temporary amnesty programs like Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). While these individuals may have a temporary legal presence, they do not possess valid visas.

Other Estimates Paint a Less Dire Picture

FAIR’s numbers far exceed those from other immigration research organizations.

The Center for Migration Studies, a New York-based think tank, estimated the illegal immigrant population at 11.7 million as of July 2023—nearly 7 million fewer than FAIR’s calculation.

Meanwhile, the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), based in Washington, put the figure at 14 million last year but acknowledged that its estimate might be too low.

The discrepancies highlight the ongoing debate over just how many illegal immigrants are living in the United States, though all sources agree that the numbers have risen significantly under Biden’s watch.

Trump’s Challenge: Cleaning Up Biden’s Mess

President Trump has already started taking action to reverse the damage caused by Biden’s open-border policies, but the road ahead won’t be easy.

Stein emphasized the need for a massive effort to remove the millions of illegal immigrants who arrived during Biden’s tenure.

With the new administration back in charge, FAIR’s report serves as a reminder of how quickly the border crisis escalated under Biden—and how much work remains to restore order and secure the nation’s borders once again.

Do you have confidence in the Trump administration to fix the illegal immigration crisis? Let us know in the comments!