The immigrant population of the United States has declined by over 1.4 million people in the first half of 2025, marking the sharpest fall in more than half a century. The drop comes as President Donald Trump intensifies enforcement measures and rolls out sweeping restrictions on immigration.
Sharp reversal after decades of growth
According to official data, the foreign-born population fell from 53.3 million in January to 51.9 million in June, a decline of about 1.4 million. Immigrants now make up 15.4% of the total US population, down from a record 15.8% earlier this year.
The reduction has also altered the workforce. Around 750,000 fewer foreign-born workers were counted by mid-year, bringing their share of the labour force to 19%. Analysts note that such a rapid decline has not been recorded since immigration reforms in the 1960s.
Policies driving the decline
The downturn began under the Biden administration in 2024, when new asylum restrictions cut the number of border entries. The pace accelerated after Trump returned to the White House in January 2025. Since then, his administration has issued more than 180 executive actions on immigration, targeting both new arrivals and long-settled communities.
Federal authorities have ramped up deportations while also encouraging voluntary departures. Police reports suggest that fear of enforcement has led thousands of undocumented families to leave on their own, particularly in states with high immigration enforcement activity.
Economic and social impact
Economists warn that the contraction could create pressure in industries dependent on immigrant labour, such as agriculture, hospitality, construction, and healthcare. With native birth rates at historic lows and an ageing workforce, the sudden reduction could intensify labour shortages and hinder economic growth.
Demographic experts add that immigration has long been a stabilising factor in the US population, sustaining working-age numbers. The decline, they argue, may accelerate challenges linked to pensions, healthcare costs, and workforce participation.
A pivotal moment in US immigration history
The fall in immigrant numbers reflects a turning point in America’s approach to migration. While previous administrations oscillated between restriction and reform, the current trajectory is one of deliberate contraction. For many communities, the human impact is already being felt in disrupted families, vacant jobs, and a shifting sense of America’s demographic future.
REFH – Newshub, 24 August 2025
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