The U.S. immigrant population has declined by more than one million since Donald Trump returned to office in January, reversing a growth trend that lasted over half a century. A new Pew Research Center study shows the total immigrant population fell from a record 53.3 million at the start of the year to 51.9 million by June. Researchers point to aggressive immigration policies, enforcement actions, and broader shifts as key drivers behind the sharp decline.
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Historic Decline in Numbers
According to Pew’s findings, immigrants accounted for 15.8% of the U.S. population in January 2025, the highest proportion in decades. By June, that share had dropped to 15.4%. Researchers note this is the most significant decline in immigrant numbers since the post-war era, reflecting the immediate impact of Trump’s policies.
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Workforce Impact and Loss
The study revealed that roughly 750,000 immigrant workers have left the U.S. labor force since January. Foreign-born workers now make up 19% of the workforce, down from earlier highs. This contraction has raised concerns among economists, particularly in industries heavily reliant on immigrant labor.
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Policy Shifts Driving Change
The Pew report highlights several policy changes affecting immigration flows. Restrictions on asylum applications introduced under Joe Biden in 2024 had already reduced border crossings. Under Trump, however, the landscape shifted drastically, with 181 executive actions aimed at limiting arrivals and deporting noncitizens. The sweeping measures have intensified removals while slowing down new entries.
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Mexican Immigration Trends
Mexico remains the largest country of origin for U.S. immigrants, with more than 11 million residents of Mexican birth recorded in 2023. This group accounts for 22% of the total immigrant population. However, Mexico’s share has declined steadily from 29% in 2010, reflecting both changing migration patterns and reduced inflows over the past decade.
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Shifting Global Origins
Beyond Mexico, India ranks as the second-largest source of immigrants, with 3.2 million people, or about 6% of the U.S. immigrant population. China follows closely with 3 million, also 6%. Other notable groups include Filipinos at 2.1 million (4%) and Cubans at 1.7 million (3%). These numbers underscore the diversification of U.S. immigration beyond Latin America.
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Arrests and Deportations Surge
A Guardian analysis in July revealed how Trump has “supercharged the country’s immigration enforcement apparatus.” Daily arrests surged by 268% compared with June 2024, with ICE targeting not only individuals with criminal records but also unauthorized immigrants without offenses. More than 8,100 people have been deported to countries other than their nation of origin, illustrating the aggressive scope of removals.
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Future of Immigration Policy
Trump’s administration shows no sign of slowing its crackdown. This week, the State Department announced it is reviewing the records of more than 55 million visa-holders worldwide, raising the possibility of widespread revocations. Analysts warn this could deepen the decline in immigrant numbers and further reshape the U.S. labor market and demographics.