What’s happening at the U.S.-Mexico border in 7 charts (2023)

FAQs

How many immigrants have come to the US in 2022? ›

More than 224,000 persons naturalized in FY 2022 Q2 (see Table 3), a 12 percent increase from FY 2021 Q2, when almost 200,000 persons naturalized. These 2022 data for Q2 represent a return to pre-COVID levels.

What we're seeing: There's a big change in who's coming to the US-Mexico border. A large number of migrants from Mexico and the Northern Triangle are still making the journey.

U.S. citizens must present a valid U.S. passport book or card, in addition to an entry permit (Forma Migratoria Multiple or FMM) issued by Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM). Travelers should be sure to enter Mexico with valid proof of automobile registration, even if remaining in the border zone.

Statistics on the Crisis at the Southern Border:

There have been 18 consecutive months of over 150,000 illegal border crossings. Over 10,000 pounds of deadly fentanyl has been seized at the border this year. This month, CBP is encountering up to 8,000 illegal immigrants each day.

In U.S. immigration, there are four main categories of immigration status, including U.S. citizens, permanent or conditional residents, non-immigrants, and undocumented immigrants.

The body of law governing U.S. immigration policy is called the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The INA allows the United States to grant up to 675,000 permanent immigrant visas each year across various visa categories.

Second Punishment for Crossing Border Illegally

The legal penalties of subsequent reentry include: A civil penalty fine. Imprisonment for up to two years. Both fines and imprisonment.

After the denial of entry, the American border will often contact the RCMP and let them know the whereabouts of the wanted person. If the warrant is stateside, instead of receiving a refusal of entry the individual will likely be arrested on the spot.

Q: Can I use my REAL ID card to cross the border into Canada and Mexico and for international travel? No. REAL ID cards cannot be used for border crossings into Canada, Mexico or other international travel.

What do US immigration officers see on their screen? ›

Any criminal history. Your citizenship status. Family members and relatives. Various types of tax information such as any Delinquent Tax payments.

Mexico has a high risk of violent crime, such as murder, armed robbery, sexual assault and kidnapping. Don't travel at night outside major cities. Kidnapping and extortion are serious risks. Don't draw attention to your money or business affairs.

Which U.S. states have the largest numbers of immigrants? The U.S. states with the most immigrants in 2019 were California (10.6 million), Texas (5 million), Florida (4.5 million), New York (4.4 million), and New Jersey (2.1 million).

Simply put, an immigrant is a person living in a country other than that of his or her birth.

Legal immigrants are foreign-born people legally admitted to the U.S. Undocumented immigrants, also called illegal aliens, are foreign-born people who do not possess a valid visa or other immigration documentation, because they entered the U.S. without inspection, stayed longer than their temporary visa permitted, or ...

E21 – Member of the Professions holding an Advanced Degree or an Alien of Exceptional Ability (Not seeking a National Interest Waiver) ▪ NIW – An alien applying for a National Interest Waiver who is a Member of the Professions holding an Advanced Degree or an Alien of Exceptional Ability.

Namely, that undocumented immigrants do not pay taxes, or otherwise abuse government safety nets such as Medicaid and Social Security.

The United States is home to the largest number of immigrants—over 50 million—which now make up 15% of the country's population. Since 1990, the proportion of immigrants in the country has continued to rise.

How can I get green card in USA without marriage? ›

Even without marriage, you may be able to get a green card if: You are an unmarried child of a United States citizen under the age of 21. You are a parent of a citizen over the age of 21 years old. You are a widow or a widower of a United States citizen.

Unlike other law enforcement, border authorities don't need a warrant to search your device. They may conduct a basic search — in which they scroll through your device inspecting texts, photos or anything else they can easily access — even if they don't suspect you of wrongdoing.

Illegal Entry

If you entered the United States illegally (as opposed to overstaying), you cannot apply for a green card from inside the United States.

Yes. Every single person. Border crossing agents have instant access to the FBI criminal database and can run criminal background checks whenever they feel that a person trying to cross may be a security risk.

Can a US citizen be denied entry back into the USA? No. A US citizen has an absolute right to enter the US as far as immigration inspection is concerned.

U.S. citizens cannot be denied entry to the United States for refusing to provide passwords or unlocking devices. Refusal to do so might lead to delay, additional questioning, and/or officers seizing your device for further inspection.

You always have the right to remain silent. However, if you don't answer questions to establish your citizenship, officials may detain you longer in order to verify your immigration status.

The state with the largest percentage of Hispanics and Latinos is New Mexico at 47.7%. The state with the largest Hispanic and Latino population overall is California with 15.6 million Hispanics and Latinos.

People are moving to places like Mexico where their fixed incomes stretch further because they're not paying as much for the basic necessities and their incomes are not being hit by rising costs that they cannot avoid, especially property taxes.

Can I cross the US border without a passport? ›

In the past, American and Canadian citizens were exempt from the requirement of presenting passports to enter the United States. Effective June 1, 2009, both American and Canadian citizens are required to present a WHTI-compliant document for entry into the United States.

U.S. citizens may present a valid U.S. passport; Passport Card; enhanced driver's license; Trusted Traveler Program card (SENTRI or Global Entry); U.S. military identification card when traveling on official orders; U.S. Merchant Mariner document when traveling in conjunction with official maritime business; or Form I- ...

Cuota Roads Vs Libre Roads

I always recommend taking the cuota roads, but especially if you need to drive after dark. In general, these are considered the safest option when traveling around the country and often there is no other option to get to your destination.

DON'T joke around with the USCIS officer. In particular, avoid joking or sarcasm related to drug dealing, communicable diseases, bigamy, or smuggling people into the country. DON'T argue with your spouse or other family members in the middle of an interview.

They're definitely looking at social media. If you're applying for an immigration benefit, you want to make sure that your social media profile is locked up. You want to make sure that your not saying anything on there that's inconsistent with the benefit that you're asking for.

Technically no, you don't have to answer any of their questions. Of course then they don't have to let you in the country, Customs officers have a huge amount of power when you meet them at the border.

1 USD = 19.85 MXN - Today's Best US Dollar to Mexican Peso Exchange Rates.

Staying safe in Mexico

“In general, travelers should avoid travel to areas unlikely to be visited by tourists. When transiting, avoid public transport and hailing taxis on the street, and use app-based services or regulated taxi stands. For drivers, Ruuska says it's best to avoid traveling overnight.

Can I hire illegals in Texas? ›

The IRCA prohibits employers from knowingly hiring undocumented workers and requires them to verify the work-authorization status of all employees at the time of hire. To verify work-authorization status, the employer uses a form called the I-9 Employment Eligibility and Verification Form (“I-9”).

Houston is the most diverse, rapidly growing major U.S. metropolitan area, and immigration has contributed greatly to its growth and diversity.

The city of Hialeah comprises the highest immigrant population in the entire country. The immigrant percentage of this city is around 74.4 percent of the total population.

Nigerians constitute most educated group in US

There are an estimated 15 million Nigerians in all parts of the world, and according to the World Bank, the average of them holds at least a bachelor's degree with an annual median income of about $65,000.

The INA allows the United States to grant up to 675,000 permanent immigrant visas each year across various visa categories. On top of those 675,000 visas, the INA sets no limit on the annual admission of U.S. citizens' spouses, parents, and children under the age of 21.

The number of unique individuals encountered nationwide in July 2022 was 162,792, a one percent increase in the number of unique enforcement encounters than the prior month. In total, there were 199,976 encounters along the southwest land border in July, a four percent decrease compared to June.

Where do most of the immigrants in the United States come from 2022? ›

Mexico is the top origin country of the U.S. immigrant population. In 2018, roughly 11.2 million immigrants living in the U.S. were from there, accounting for 25% of all U.S. immigrants. The next largest origin groups were those from China (6%), India (6%), the Philippines (4%) and El Salvador (3%).

How many U.S. residents are from immigrant families? Immigrants and their U.S.-born children number approximately 84.8 million people, or 26 percent of the U.S. population in the 2021 CPS, a decline of approximately 950,000 from 2020.

As of 2021, 26.6 percent of California's population were born in a country other than the United States. New Jersey, New York, Florida, and Hawaii rounded out the top five states with the largest population of foreign born residents in that year. For the country as a whole, 13.6 percent of residents were foreign born.

The United States is home to the largest number of immigrants—over 50 million—which now make up 15% of the country's population. Since 1990, the proportion of immigrants in the country has continued to rise.

Namely, that undocumented immigrants do not pay taxes, or otherwise abuse government safety nets such as Medicaid and Social Security.

CBP's migrant encounters hit 2 million during the first 11 months of the 2022 fiscal year. While this is a record, it includes an unusually high number of repeat crossers and migrants expelled under Title 42.

The peak year for admission of new immigrants was 1907, when approximately 1.3 million people entered the country legally. Within a decade, the outbreak of World War I (1914-1918) caused a decline in immigration.

The peak year of European immigration was in 1907, when 1,285,349 persons entered the country. By 1910, 13.5 million immigrants were living in the United States.

The Biden administration set the Title 42 policy to end in May 2022, but it remains in place today under court order after litigation by state attorneys general to block the termination.

Why do many U.S. immigrants learn English? ›

Immigrants who learn English improve both their earnings and their acceptance by other Americans. Most immigrants want to learn English, and immigration advocates think it should be easier for them to do so.