In the tapestry of America's immigrant narrative, there's an often-overlooked thread—Indians who have come to the United States seeking opportunities, driven by aspirations and dreams. Recent data from the Pew Research Center has spotlighted the presence of Indians as the third-largest group, numbering around 725,000 individuals among unauthorized immigrants in the US, a revelation that challenges prevalent stereotypes about undocumented immigration. The study emphasizes that these 10.5 million unauthorised immigrants constitute roughly three percent of the entire US population and a significant 22 percent of the foreign-born population.
Image Source: The Hindu
Surge in Undocumented Indian Immigration
US Customs and Border Protection data illustrates a noteworthy surge in encounters with undocumented Indian immigrants, particularly evident between October 2022 and September 2023. The numbers spiked notably after the easing of COVID-19 border restrictions, rising from 6,917 encounters in the 2022 fiscal year to a staggering 97,000 encounters in the current year.
The research highlights a rapid growth in the total number of unauthorised immigrants from countries other than Mexico. In 2021, this population reached 6.4 million, marking a substantial increase of 900,000 from the figures reported in 2017. Notably, almost every global region exhibited a significant rise in unauthorised immigrants within the US from 2007 to 2021. The largest surges were observed from Central America, accounting for 240,000, and South and East Asia, totalling 180,000.
Image Source: PEW
States with Highest Concentrations
California, Texas, Florida, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois are identified as the states with the highest concentrations of unauthorised immigrants. However, only Florida and Washington experienced increases in their respective unauthorised immigrant populations. In contrast, California and Nevada witnessed declines during the same period.
Conversely, the research notes a significant growth in the lawful immigrant population, surging by over 8 million, representing a notable 29% increase. Additionally, the number of naturalized US citizens expanded by 49%. In 2021, naturalized citizens accounted for approximately half (49%) of all immigrants in the country.
The Pew Research Center's findings underscore the complex dynamics of immigration in the US, highlighting shifts in populations from various countries and the diverse landscape across different states.
In the pursuit of a more equitable and compassionate society, understanding the stories of unauthorized immigrants becomes a crucial step towards building bridges of empathy and fostering unity amidst diversity.
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