Understanding the Over 11 Million Undocumented Immigrants Targeted for Deportation by Trump
In the United States, one in four foreign nationals is an undocumented immigrant, with at least 11 million individuals living without legal status across the country. Recent census data from 2022 reveals that about 77% of these individuals have been residing in the U.S. for five years or more. Historically, in 1980, a significant concentration of undocumented immigrants was found in six states: California, Texas, Florida, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois, which then accounted for 80% of the total. Today, these states comprise only 56% of the undocumented population, indicating a broader geographical distribution.
While accurately counting all undocumented immigrants is challenging, the U.S. government can track those who pay taxes, which is mandated regardless of immigration status. Independent organizations estimate the number of undocumented individuals in the U.S. to be as high as 14 million.
Approximately six million individuals hold temporary residency permits in the United States. Among them, around 2.6 million are awaiting resolution of their asylum applications, primarily from Latin American countries, while about 300,000 are temporarily sheltered as refugees, including those from Ukraine and Afghanistan. Additionally, 540,000 individuals benefit from the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, initiated by former President Barack Obama to provide relief to young immigrants brought to the U.S. as minors.
Mexican nationals represent 40% of the undocumented population in the U.S., but over the past decade, the trend of migration from Mexico has decreased. In contrast, the number of Venezuelan migrants has quadrupled, and Colombian migrants have nearly doubled during the same period.
Following his return to the presidency, Donald Trump has made clear his intention to deport a significant number of undocumented immigrants, starting with those who have criminal records. Currently, there are at least 425,431 immigrants categorized as criminals within the U.S. judicial system, though many of these offenses are minor infractions.
In 2024, traffic-related offenses accounted for 22% of all charges against undocumented immigrants, which include petty violations such as driving with a broken headlight or without a license. It is worth noting that undocumented immigrants are often unable to obtain driver's licenses in most states due to their status. Immigration offenses were the second most common category, constituting 18% of total crimes and including illegal entry, re-entry after deportation, or misrepresentation upon entry. Other crimes, such as theft and drug-related offenses, accounted for 7% and 6% respectively.
Recent years have seen a decrease in the proportion of deportees with criminal backgrounds. The latest data from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) indicates that deportations have been occurring at high rates for several years; 271,484 individuals were expelled in 2024 alone, surpassing figures from any year during Trump's previous administration.
During the Biden and Obama administrations, deportations primarily occurred along the southern border, with most cases involving rapid returns following illegal crossings. The peak of deportations occurred during Obama's presidency, with over 400,000 individuals deported in 2012, 80% of whom were involved in cross-border violations with Mexico.
The key difference with Trump's approach is the broadening of focus beyond newly arrived immigrants. His administration threatens mass raids in urban areas far from the border where long-term residents live. Such actions risk infringing on the "sanctuary city" policies implemented by major cities like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, which have historically opted not to cooperate with ICE.
In these cities, undocumented immigrants can obtain state identification, accessing banking, healthcare, and educational services, with some states allowing them to apply for driver's licenses (only 18 out of 50 states permit this). Currently, options for undocumented immigrants to regularize their status are limited. One common pathway allows U.S.-born children of undocumented parents to apply for their parents' legal status once they turn 21. This process has been possible due to the constitutional right of citizenship by birth, but Trump aims to eliminate this right. The application process itself is rigorous, requiring no outstanding traffic violations or administrative infractions, as well as proof of tax payments. According to Pew Research, approximately 4.4 million children in the U.S. have at least one undocumented parent.
Additionally, Trump has announced the termination of the CBP One mobile application, which facilitated asylum requests and provided a safer alternative for migrants wishing to enter the U.S. This app, implemented by Biden, allowed migrants to wait on the Mexican side of the border for appointments with immigration authorities, also expediting denials of asylum requests. With the closure of the app, appointments for 30,000 migrants were canceled, as reported by The New York Times.
In 2023, there were 456,750 asylum requests filed upon entry, with nearly half from Cuban and Venezuelan nationals. During Trump's first term, despite his tough rhetoric, more asylum applications were approved than during the administrations of Democrats Obama and Biden. The asylum system was disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the Title 42 policy, which allowed for the immediate expulsion of migrants without an opportunity to seek asylum. While Trump's administration implemented these restrictive measures, the majority of the three million affected individuals were returned during Biden's tenure. The CBP One app was initiated in 2023, following the conclusion of Title 42.
