U.S. Border Patrol alien apprehensions on the southwest border averaged 1.2M per year from 1990-2006, with a minimum of 931,000 in 2011.
In the 5 years of 2011-2015, apprehensions averaged 390,000. Apprehensions were reduced by two-thirds. This does not prove that the number of alien attempts at illegal entry to the country was down by two-thirds, but absent compelling evidence of negative changes to compliance effectiveness or alternate entry methods, this indicates that the number of successful illegal immigrants also fell by two-thirds between this 17 year period and the 5 years prior to the 2016 election where this was successfully raised as a major issue.
• U.S. border patrol: alien apprehensions 1990-2020 | Statista
The next 3 years, 2016-17-18, averaged the same level, at 376,000. 2020 recorded 405,000, another statistically identical number.
During the base 17 years, the number of non-Mexicans apprehended was 50,000 or less, essentially immaterial. In the last decade, this number has grown to 200,000, meaning that Mexican immigrants have fallen from 1.2M per year to only 0.2M per year. The steps taken by the U.S. (both parties) through these 3 decades have reduced Mexican immigration by 85%.
Migrant apprehensions at U.S.-Mexico border fell sharply in 2020 fiscal year | Pew Research Center
Based on early 2021 figures, the “problem” is clearly not “solved”, despite the construction of 80 miles of new walls and the replacement of 452 miles of wall at a cost of $15B during the Trump presidency. The U.S. has 734 miles of walls along the border today, up from 654 miles before the Trump presidency. Trump representatives claim that the replaced walls were ineffective.
Trump’s wall: How much has been built during his term? – BBC News
Migrant apprehensions at U.S.-Mexico border are surging again | Pew Research Center
The estimated number of illegal immigrants living in the U.S. from all countries grew from 3.5M in 1990 to 11.1M in 2005, and has since slowly declined. The peak year was 2007 with 12.2M people. The latest year (2018) shows 10.5M people. The number of immigrants has declined by 14%, while the U.S. population increased by 9% from 300M to 327M. The ratio of immigrants to population has declined by 23%, from 4.1% (1/25) to 3.2% (1/33). Mexican born individuals are estimated to account for half of the total.
• Unauthorized immigrant population U.S. 2017 | Statista
The U.S. Border Patrol budget has increased by orders of magnitude to address the issue. Early 1990’s budgets average $0.3B per year. Early 2000’s budgets were more than 3 times as high at $1.1M. Budgets doubled again to 2.2M in 2006-8, Budgets grew by another 50% to 3.5M in 2011-2015. That’s 3 times as high as the early 2000’s and 10 times as high as the early 1990’s. The Trump budgets increased by another $1.2B dollars per year to $4.7B per year. Spending is now 4 times as high as in the early 2000’s.
The Cost of Immigration Enforcement and Border Security | American Immigration Council
U.S. aid to Central America fell from $750M to less than $500M (33%) during the Trump administration in an attempt to “force” these countries to control their borders and stop the emigration to the U.S.
U.S. Strategy for Engagement in Central America: An Overview (fas.org)
The Biden administration has proposed adding $300M to this aid budget.
U.S. unveils $310 mln in Central America aid | Reuters
The Obama administration had increased aid, believing that it could help to stabilize conditions in these countries.
President Obama’s $1 Billion Foreign Aid Request for Central America (fas.org)
Obama Had A Plan For Central America. Then Came Trump. (buzzfeednews.com)
Some sources show that the net immigration rate from Mexico to the United States turned negative (more moving from the U.S. to Mexico) as early as 1998.
Mexico Net Migration Rate 1950-2021 | MacroTrends
Other sources show that the reversal began around 2010.
Net Migration from Mexico Falls to Zero—and Perhaps Less | Pew Research Center
More Mexicans Leaving Than Coming to the U.S. | Pew Research Center
This reverse flow continued throughout the 2010’s. The number of Mexican born residents in the U.S. declined by 800,000, from 11.7M to 10.9M.
Article: Mexican Immigrants in the United States | migrationpolicy.org
Nearly 1 million of the 11 million estimated “illegal immigrants” comprise one-half of the annual U.S. hired farm labor force. The legal immigrant visa program accounts for one-fourth and domestic workers account for one-fourth. The history of legal and illegal immigrant farm labor is not for those with a weak stomach. Bipartisan efforts exist today to revise existing laws to make them more effective for workers and farmers.
Immigrant Farmworkers and America’s Food Production – 5 Things to Know – FWD.us
Many policy analysts have recommended a formally required, effective citizenship verification for all employment. The U.S. has developed the e-Verify program and required federal agencies to use it. Some states have adopted the same requirement for state employment and contractors. However, the federal government and most states have chosen to not implement this approach to dis-incentivizing illegal immigration.
E-verify-background-web-10-2-2_format.pdf (bipartisanpolicy.org)
Fact Sheet: E-Verify – National Immigration Forum
The underground, black market or shadow economy in the U.S., where employees are paid in cash and not reported to state or federal agencies, is a relatively small share of the economy compared with other countries. Most estimates are in the 6-12% range.
ACCA finds ‘shadow economy’ is smaller in U.S. than abroad | Accounting Today
How Big Is America’s Underground Economy? (investopedia.com)
Illegal immigration is a complex and emotional topic. Most/many individuals have a deeply felt need/desire to protect their family, community, state or nation from threatening “others”.
The U.S. is an attractive destination for individuals from many other countries. The U.S. has opened and closed its borders through many cycles. U.S. immigration policies have been relatively open and closed to people from outside of western Europe through time.
Historically, U.S. businesses and farmers have supported relatively open legal, restricted and illegal immigration to keep their labor costs low. Labor unions and their political allies have been less welcoming.
Presidential candidate Trump opened his campaign in 2015 highlighting the “threat” of immigrants and illegal immigrants.
Donald Trump’s Presidential Announcement Speech | Time
Illegal immigration has dropped dramatically. U.S. spending on walls and border enforcement has increased dramatically. The political issue remains. It appears that solutions such as aid/threats to Central America, required employment verification and more effective seasonal farm worker programs could “solve” much of the remaining issue.
Good News 
[…] Illegal Immigration […]
[…] Illegal Immigration […]