The estimated population of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. stands at around ** million people. Although the number has stabilized, the United States has seen a spike in migrant encounters in the last few years, with over * million cases registered by the U.S. Border Patrol in 2023. This is a slight decrease from the previous year, when there were over *** million cases registered. Due to its proximity and shared border, Mexico remains the leading country of origin for most undocumented immigrants in the U.S., with California and Texas being home to the majority.

Immigration and political division

Despite the majority of the population having immigrant roots, the topic of immigration in the U.S. remains one of the country’s longest-standing political debates. Support among Republicans for restrictive immigration has grown alongside Democratic support for open immigration. This growing divide has deepened the polarization between the two major political parties, stifling constructive dialogue and impeding meaningful reform efforts and as a result, has led to dissatisfaction from all sides. In addition to general immigration policy, feelings toward illegal immigration in the U.S. also vary widely. For some, it's seen as a significant threat to national security, cultural identity, and economic stability. This perspective often aligns with support for stringent measures like Trump's proposed border wall and increased enforcement efforts. On the other hand, there are those who are more sympathetic toward undocumented immigrants, as demonstrated by support for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

In January 2022, it was estimated that about 1.85 million male illegal immigrants living in the United States were aged between 35 and 44 years old. In that same year, it was estimated that 1.52 million female illegal immigrants living in the U.S. were between 35 and 44 years old.

In 2022, an estimated 10.99 million unauthorized immigrants were living in the United States. This is an increase from about 3.5 million unauthorized immigrants who lived in the United States in 1990.

In 2019, California had the highest population of unauthorized immigrants, at around 2.74 million. The overall figure for the United States was estimated to be around 11.05 million unauthorized immigrants.

This study was conducted to examine whether a rising crime rate in El Paso, Texas and San Diego, California in 1986 could be attributed to, among other factors, the influx of undocumented aliens. Variables include level of involvement of undocumented aliens in serious felony arrests in San Diego and El Paso Counties, the outcome of serious felony arrest cases involving undocumented persons compared to others arrested for similar offenses, the impact of arrests of undocumented aliens on the criminal justice system in terms of workload and cost, the extent that criminal justice agencies coordinate their efforts to apprehend and process undocumented aliens who have committed serious crimes in San Diego and El Paso counties, and how differences in agency objectives impede or enhance coordination. Data are also provided on how many undocumented persons were arrested/convicted for repeat offense in these counties and which type of policies or procedures could be implemented in criminal justice agencies to address the issue of crimes committed by undocumented aliens. Data were collected in the two cities with focus on serious felony offenses. The collection includes sociodemographic characteristics, citizenship status, current arrest, case disposition, and prior criminal history with additional data from San Diego to compute the costs involving undocumented aliens.

In 2022, about **** million illegal aliens were apprehended in the United States. This was a significant increase from the previous year, when there were around **** million illegal aliens apprehended nationwide. Apprehensions refer to Border Patrol apprehensions and ICE administrative arrests.

As of January 2022, it was estimated that about 4.81 million illegal immigrants from Mexico were living in the United States. It was also estimated that 750,000 illegal immigrants from Guatemala were living in the United States.

This statistic shows the results of a survey on the estimated proportion of legal and illegal immigrants according to people in Denmark in 2017. According to the survey, the majority of the respondents (80 percent) believed there were more immigrants who were staying legally than illegally.

The statistics of illegal (regulations) of the registered foreign population include the cases handled by this department and other authorities.

Graph and download economic data for Employment Level - Foreign Born (LNU02073395) from Jan 2007 to May 2025 about foreign, household survey, employment, and USA.

According to the source, 9,662 irregular migrants arrived in Spain in January 2021, which represented the highest number of irregular migrants of the study period, second only to October 2018, with 11010 cases. February, March and April tend to be the months with the lowest arrival of illegal migrants.

From January to June 2025, the highest number of illegal immigrants that arrived in Spain via land and sea came from Mali, with approximately ***** people. The immigrants from Senegal and Algeria were the second and third most numerous group, with ***** and ***** people leaving their country of residence, respectively. More than ****** illegal immigrants reached the Iberian country in 2024. A risky journey Spain, together with Italy and Greece, are the main points of entry to Europe for illegal migration. Most arrivals happen through the Mediterranean Sea, which is a very dangerous journey for migrants. While active since 2006, the migration route from the coasts of West Africa to the Canary Islands (the closest territory of the European Union) has become particularly popular in recent years, even though so many people lost their lives their. Undocumented minors Among those reaching the Spanish territory are undocumented and unaccompanied minors, known in Spanish as "menas” (Menores Extranjeros No Acompañados). In 2018, the number of unaccompanied and separated children that arrived by sea exceeded *****, which represented the largest figure since at least 2014. This number decreased by approximately ***** cases in 2020. Nearly half of them came from Morocco, separated from Spain by merely ** kilometres of water at the Gibraltar Strait's narrowest point.

Human Trafficking Statistics: Human trafficking remains a pervasive global issue, with millions of individuals subjected to exploitation and abuse each year. According to recent statistics, an estimated 25 million people worldwide are victims of human trafficking, with the majority being women and children. This lucrative criminal industry generates profits of over $150 billion annually, making it one of the most profitable illegal trades globally. As market research analysts, it's imperative to understand the scale and impact of human trafficking to develop effective strategies for prevention and intervention. Efforts to combat human trafficking have intensified in recent years, driven by increased awareness and advocacy. However, despite these efforts, the problem persists, with trafficking networks adapting to evade law enforcement and exploit vulnerabilities in communities. Through comprehensive data analysis and research, we can uncover trends, identify high-risk areas, and develop targeted interventions to disrupt trafficking networks and support survivors. In this context, understanding human trafficking statistics is crucial for informing policy decisions, resource allocation, and collaborative efforts to combat this grave violation of human rights. Editor’s Choice Every year, approximately 4.5 billion people become victims of forced sex trafficking. Two out of three immigrants become victims of human trafficking, regardless of their international travel method. There are 5.4 victims of modern slavery for every 1000 people worldwide. An estimated 40.3 million individuals are trapped in modern-day slavery, with 24.9 million in forced labor and 15.4 million in forced marriage. Around 16.55 million reported human trafficking cases have occurred in the Asia Pacific region. Out of 40 million human trafficking victims worldwide, 25% are children. The highest proportion of forced labor trafficking cases occurs in domestic work, accounting for 30%. The illicit earnings from human trafficking amount to approximately USD 150 billion annually. The sex trafficking industry globally exceeds the size of the worldwide cocaine market. Only 0.4% of survivors of human trafficking cases are detected. Currently, there are 49.6 million people in modern slavery worldwide, with 35% being children. Sex trafficking is the most common type of trafficking in the U.S. In 2022, there were 88 million child sexual abuse material (CSAM) files reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) tip line. Child sex trafficking has been reported in all 50 U.S. states. Human trafficking is a USD 150 billion industry globally. It ranks as the second most profitable illegal industry in the United States. 25 million people worldwide are denied their fundamental right to freedom. 30% of global human trafficking victims are children. Women constitute 49% of all victims of global trafficking. In 2019, 62% of victims in the US were identified as sex trafficking victims. In the same year, US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grantees reported that 68% of clients served were victims of labor trafficking. Human traffickers in the US face a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison. In France, 74% of exploited victims in 2018 were victims of sex trafficking. You May Also Like To Read Domestic Violence Statistics Sexual Assault Statistics Crime Statistics FBI Crime Statistics Referral Marketing Statistics Prison Statistics GDPR Statistics Piracy Statistics Notable Ransomware Statistics DDoS Statistics Divorce Statistics

Immigration Control System Market Outlook

The global immigration control system market size is projected to grow significantly over the forecast period, with an estimated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.5% from 2024 to 2032. In 2023, the market was valued at approximately USD 8.7 billion and is expected to reach USD 24.3 billion by 2032. This growth is largely driven by increasing international travel, stringent government regulations, and advancements in biometric technology.

The burgeoning demand for efficient and secure immigration control systems is one of the primary growth drivers in this market. Governments across the globe are investing heavily in modernizing their border control and immigration systems to enhance national security. For instance, the rise in global terrorism and illegal immigration has compelled countries to adopt advanced technologies such as biometric verification and automated border control systems. These systems not only streamline the immigration process but also significantly reduce the chances of fraudulent activities.

Another key factor contributing to the market's growth is the rapid advancement in biometric technologies. Innovations such as facial recognition, fingerprint scanners, and iris recognition systems have drastically improved the accuracy and reliability of immigration control systems. These technologies provide a higher level of security and are more efficient in processing large volumes of travelers. The adoption of biometric systems is particularly prominent in countries with high volumes of international traffic, such as the United States, China, and the United Kingdom.

The increasing globalization and rise of international business travel have also played a crucial role in the expansion of the immigration control system market. As more people travel for business, leisure, and education, the need for efficient and secure immigration control systems becomes more critical. Airports, seaports, and land borders are increasingly adopting advanced immigration control systems to manage the growing influx of travelers. This trend is expected to continue over the forecast period, further driving market growth.

Automated Border Control systems have become a pivotal component in the modernization of immigration processes. These systems utilize advanced technologies such as facial recognition and fingerprint scanning to efficiently process travelers at border points. By automating the verification process, these systems not only enhance security but also significantly reduce wait times for travelers. The integration of Automated Border Control systems is particularly beneficial in high-traffic areas like international airports, where the swift movement of people is crucial. As countries continue to face challenges related to illegal immigration and security threats, the adoption of such automated solutions is expected to rise, providing a seamless and secure experience for travelers.

Regionally, the market is witnessing significant growth in the Asia Pacific, North America, and Europe. The Asia Pacific region, in particular, is experiencing rapid expansion due to the increasing number of international travelers and the growing adoption of advanced technologies in countries like China, Japan, and India. In North America, the United States and Canada are leading the market due to their stringent immigration policies and significant investments in border security. Similarly, Europe is witnessing substantial growth driven by the Schengen Area's need for seamless travel across multiple countries while ensuring high security standards.

## Component Analysis

The immigration control system market can be segmented by component into hardware, software, and services. Hardware components include biometric scanners, surveillance cameras, and access control systems, which play a crucial role in the physical infrastructure of immigration control systems. The hardware segment is expected to witness significant growth due to the increasing demand for advanced security equipment at borders and points of entry. The integration of cutting-edge technologies such as AI-powered surveillance cameras and next-generation biometric scanners is further propelling the growth of this segment.

Software components, on the other hand, encompass the various applications and platforms used to manage and analyze immigration data. This includes database management systems, biometric matching software, and real-time moni