For the first time in over half a century, the U.S. immigrant population has experienced a significant decline, reversing decades of consistent growth. According to a recent Pew Research Center report, the total number of foreign-born residents fell by 1.4 million between January and June 2025, marking a sharp 2.6% drop—from 53.3 million to 51.9 million. This shift decreases the immigrant population’s immigrant share from 15.8% to 15.4%.
Pew researchers credit the drop to increased border enforcement and renewed deportation efforts. President Trump’s administration has prioritized immigration reform and border control as central policy pillars since his return to office. Under his leadership, several initiatives have been revived or expanded, including enhanced interior enforcement and stricter asylum procedures.
Labor force figures reflect the trend. Immigrant participation in the workforce dropped from 20% to 19%, equating to more than 750,000 workers no longer contributing to the U.S. economy. The sectors most affected include agriculture, construction, and service industries—long reliant on immigrant labor.
Multiple outlets confirmed the data, including The Guardian, which called it the first major decline in the immigrant population in over 50 years. The Economic Times reported that more immigrants left the country than arrived during the first half of 2025—a reversal not seen since the Great Depression. Axios highlighted the shift as “historic,” signaling a potential realignment of labor markets and long-standing immigration patterns.
Pew noted that both legal and illegal immigration numbers fell. The administration’s tightened visa policies, border wall completion projects, and strategic deportations appear to be influencing migration decisions and accelerating voluntary departures.
For conservatives, the decline signals progress. It reduces strain on welfare programs, schools, and hospitals. As states adjust to the changes in the labor force, attention now turns to whether the trend will continue into 2026 and how it might reshape political and economic dynamics nationwide.
