New Data Shed Light on Temporary and “Liminal” Statuses
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New York, NY - The Center for Migration Studies of New York (CMS) today announced that its 2024 updates to the Estimates of the Size and Composition of the Undocumented Immigrant Population in the United States are now available at data.cmsny.org. The estimates, developed by Ryan Allen, Robert Warren, and Jose Pacas, provide the latest data on the size and characteristics of the undocumented population nationwide.
The accompanying study, which is forthcoming in the Journal on Migration and Human Security, provides one of the most comprehensive and up-to-date portraits of the undocumented population in the United States, building on CMS’s long-standing data series derived from the U.S. Census Bureau surveys.
Key Findings
- The undocumented immigrant population reached 14.6 million in 2024, an increase of 2.4 million since 2023 and 4.4 million since 2020.
- 5.4 million (37%) held some form of “liminal” or temporary status in 2024, including DACA recipients, TPS holders, paroled individuals, asylum seekers, or individuals with other humanitarian protections.
- Immigrants from Venezuela, Haiti, Ecuador, and Nicaragua represent the fastest-growing groups since 2020.
- Mexican immigrants remain the largest share (35%), though growth since 2020 has been relatively modest.
- Between 2020 and 2024, undocumented populations from Central America (+1.1 million) and South America (+1.5 million) increased sharply.
- Undocumented immigrants make up 29% of the U.S. foreign-born population and 4% of the total U.S. population, consistent with 2010 levels.
- Nearly 60% live in six states: California, Texas, Florida, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois, with Florida experiencing the largest growth (+615,000) since 2020.
- In 2024, about two-thirds have lived in the U.S. for at least five years, with strong social and economic indicators signalling adaptation to life in the US.
- About 5.2 million (36%) have lived in the US for less than five years; 4.4 million (30%) have lived in the US for between five and 14 years; and 5 million (34%) have lived in the US for 15 years or more.
The report also highlights differences by length of residence, showing that undocumented immigrants with longer tenure in the United States are more likely to be employed, married, proficient in English, and have higher educational attainment.
The study underscores that while enforcement remains a dominant policy approach, alternative policy options exist. It points to the long-standing “registry” provision - used historically and most recently codified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 - as a viable option. Updating the registry date to January 1, 2012 could provide lawful permanent residence to approximately 5 million long-term undocumented residents, reducing the undocumented population by roughly one-third.
“These new estimates show both the scale of recent population growth and the deep roots many undocumented immigrants have established in the United States,” said Ryan Allen, lead author and Professor of Urban Planning at the University of Minnesota. “A majority have lived here for years, contributing to their communities and the economy, which should be central to how policymakers approach this issue.”
“At a time of intense political debate, rigorous and transparent data are essential,” said C. Mario Russell, Executive Director of CMS. “This report helps move the conversation beyond rhetoric, counters misinformation and grounds it in facts while also pointing to practical and fair policy solutions.”
CMS will host a public webinar featuring the study’s authors on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 from 1:00-2:00pm ET, offering a deeper dive into the findings, methodology, and policy implications. Register here.
For more information, please contact Rachel Reyes, CMS’s Director of Communications, at rreyes@cmsny.org.
The Center for Migration Studies (CMS) is a New York-based educational institute devoted to the study of international migration, to the promotion of understanding between immigrants and receiving communities, and to public policies that safeguard the dignity and rights of migrants, refugees, and newcomers. For more information, please visit www.cmsny.org.
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