The Unauthorized Population in the United States: New Data Trends

Marking the release of MPI's report, An Analysis of Unauthorized Immigrants in the United States by Country and Region of Birth, examining the unauthorized immigrant population in the United States, currently estimated at 11 million, this webinar answers the question of which countries the unauthorized are from, where they have settled in the United States, and how these patterns have changed over the last two decades. Drawing on U.S. Census Bureau data from the most recent American Community Survey (ACS) and the 2008 Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), MPI analysts detail the profiles of the overall U.S. unauthorized population, including descriptions of unauthorized immigrants in 41 states and 136 counties where they are found in significant numbers. These include the first-ever estimates at the county level by country and region of origin for those potentially eligible for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) programs. In discussing this data, MPI analysts discuss trends in traditional destination states, as well as newer immigration states and smaller cities and suburban areas.

The webinar also examines the variation in how different unauthorized populations have taken advantage of the DACA program, which provides relief from deportation and work authorization for beneficiaries.