A new analysis of monthly Census Bureau data by the Center for Immigration Studies shows that the na- tion\u2019s immigrant population (legal and illegal) hit a record high of 42.1 million in the second quarter of this year \u2014 an increase of 1.7 million since the same quarter of 2014. Growth in the immigrant popula- tion in the last year was led by a 740,000 increase in the number of Mexican immigrants. After falling or growing little in recent years, the number of Mexican immigrants again seems to be growing significantly. The monthly Census Bureau data, referred to as the Current Population Survey (CPS), is released before other data. As more information becomes available, it should confirm the findings from the CPS.1<\/p>\n
Among the findings:<\/p>\n
\u2022 The nation\u2019s immigrant (foreign-born) population, which includes legal and illegal immigrants, grew by 4.1 million from the second quarter of 2011 to the second quarter of 2015 \u2014 1.7 million in just the last year.
\n\u2022 Immigrants are 13.3 percent of the nation\u2019s total population \u2014 the largest share in 105 years.
\n\u2022 Growth in the last year was led by a rebound in the number of Mexican immigrants, which increased by 740,000 from 2014 to 2015 \u2014 accounting for 44 percent of the increase in the total immigrant population in the last year.
\n\u2022 The total Mexican immigrant population (legal and illegal) reached 12.1 million in the second quarter of 2015 \u2014 the highest quarterly total ever.
\n\u2022 Prior research has indicated that net migration (the number coming vs. leaving) from Mexico had fallen to zero; the recent growth indicates that the period of zero net migration has ended.
\n\u2022 In addition to Mexico, growth in the immigrant population was led by a 449,000 increase in the last year from countries in Latin America other than Mexico.
\n\u2022 The Department of Homeland Security and other researchers have estimated that eight in 10 illegal im- migrants are from Mexico and Latin America, so the increase in immigrants from these countries is an indication that illegal immigration has begun growing again.
\n\u2022 The number of immigrants in the United States is now enormous, but it must be recognized that most immigrants, including those from Latin America, are in the country legally. Absent a change in legal im- migration policy, the immigrant population will continue to increase.<\/p>\n
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