The US reached 13.7 million undocumented immigrants in 2023.
Report estimates 13.7 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. in 2023 as government shutdown enters its 22nd day without a deal.
Photo of Annika Gordon in Unsplash
A recent report from the Migration Policy Institute (MPI) estimates that nearly 13.7 million undocumented individuals resided in the United States by mid-2023, representing a significant increase from 12.8 million in 2022.
This report coincides with a time of rising political tension due to the prolonged partial shutdown of the federal government, which is entering its 22nd day with no sign of a resolution and is on track to become the second-longest in the country's history.
Historic rise of undocumented immigrants
According to the MPI analysis, much of the increase in the undocumented population is due to a sharp increase in border crossings and the expanded use of "humanitarian" entry mechanisms or parole permits that allowed migrants to enter without a formal visa.
The percentage of unauthorized immigrants within the total foreign-born population reached approximately 27% in 2023, up from 22% in 2021.
This phenomenon complicated the immigration landscape in the United States, posing challenges for border control, social integration, public services, and regularization policies.
Government shutdown: political deadlock and migration agenda without consensus
In parallel with the report on the growth of the undocumented population, the US Congress is experiencing a serious gridlock. Senate Republican leadership, represented by John Thune, confirmed that it will reattempt a stopgap funding vote, but acknowledged that the shutdown could be prolonged.
Democrats are demanding that approval include an extension of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) health benefits, while Republicans refuse to negotiate until the government reopens, accusing Democrats of obstructing the agreement.
The result is an institutional paralysis that could leave numerous federal employees without payroll and increase pressure on critical sectors such as air traffic control, which already faces structural shortages.
The compromised closure not only has economic implications, but is also directly linked to the immigration debate: at a time when the undocumented population is reaching its estimated peak, the federal government is unable to advance immigration reforms, resource allocations, and oversight policies.
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