Undocumented Workers Statistics in US 2025 | Key Facts

Undocumented Workers in America 2025

The landscape of undocumented workers in the United States continues to shape economic discussions and policy debates throughout 2025. Recent government data reveals that this workforce represents a critical component of the American economy, contributing billions of dollars annually while filling essential roles across multiple industries. The undocumented worker population has experienced significant fluctuations over the past few years, with estimates reaching historic levels before recent policy changes began affecting migration patterns and enforcement priorities.

These workers face unique challenges navigating employment without legal authorization, yet they remain deeply integrated into the fabric of American commerce and industry. From construction sites to agricultural fields, from restaurants to healthcare facilities, undocumented immigrants provide labor that sustains critical sectors of the economy. Understanding the scope, economic impact, and demographic characteristics of this population requires examining comprehensive data from government agencies and research institutions that track immigration patterns, workforce participation, and economic contributions across all fifty states.

Key Stats & Facts About Undocumented Workers in the US 2025

Data sources: Pew Research Center (2025), Center for Migration Studies (2025), Center for Immigration Studies (2025), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (2025), Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (2024)

The statistics paint a comprehensive picture of the undocumented worker population across America. The 14 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States as of 2023 represents a record high, marking the largest unauthorized immigrant population in American history according to Pew Research Center data released in August 2025. Within this population, between 8.5 million and 10.8 million individuals actively participate in the labor force, making them indispensable to numerous industries. These workers comprise 6.7% of the total US workforce, demonstrating their substantial presence in the American economy despite representing only approximately 4% of the total population.

The economic contributions from this workforce reach impressive levels, with $96.7 billion paid in federal, state, and local taxes during 2022 alone. This breaks down to an average of $8,889 per person annually, showcasing that undocumented workers fulfill their tax obligations despite being excluded from most benefits these taxes fund. The 95% employment rate among undocumented adults far exceeds that of the general population, reflecting the work-driven nature of unauthorized immigration. Most significantly, 79% of undocumented workers fall within the prime working age bracket of 25 to 54 years old, indicating this population consists primarily of individuals in their most productive years. However, only 53% have health insurance coverage, highlighting the vulnerabilities faced by workers who contribute billions to healthcare programs like Medicare yet remain ineligible for most benefits. Recent enforcement efforts have dramatically impacted border activity, with only 8,725 encounters recorded in May 2025, representing a 93% decrease compared to the same month in 2024.

Undocumented Worker Population Growth in the US 2025

Data sources: Pew Research Center (2025), Center for Immigration Studies (2025), Department of Homeland Security (2025)

The trajectory of the undocumented immigrant population in the US reveals dramatic shifts over recent decades. After reaching a previous peak of 12.2 million in 2007, the population declined steadily for over a decade, bottoming out at 10.5 million in both 2017 and 2021. However, 2021 through 2023 witnessed an unprecedented surge, with the population growing by 3.5 million to reach 14 million by 2023, marking the largest two-year increase in more than thirty years of tracking. Some organizations like the Center for Immigration Studies estimated even higher numbers, placing the population at 15.4 million by January 2025 when including undercount adjustments.

The growth pattern reflects multiple factors including policy changes, economic conditions, and global migration pressures. Recent data from mid-2025 suggests the population likely peaked in early to mid-2024 and has since entered a declining trend due to increased deportations, reduced protections, and policy shifts under the current administration. The Department of Homeland Security reported potential decreases of 1.6 million by mid-2025, though researchers caution these figures remain preliminary and subject to verification. The 14 million estimate for 2023 remains the most reliable figure based on comprehensive Census Bureau data, representing the gold standard American Community Survey which provides detailed demographic and economic information about the unauthorized population across all states and industries.

Industry Distribution of Undocumented Workers in the US 2025

Data sources: Center for Migration Studies (2025), American Immigration Council (2024), U.S. Department of Agriculture (2025)

The concentration of undocumented workers across US industries reveals their critical role in sectors essential to American economic functioning. Construction employs the largest number with approximately 1.7 million undocumented workers, accounting for 20% of the entire undocumented workforce and representing 13 to 14% of all construction workers nationwide. This heavy reliance on undocumented labor means the construction industry faces potential labor shortages, with analysts projecting a need for 500,000 additional workers in 2025 alone. The accommodation and food services sector follows with 1.02 million workers representing 12% of undocumented employment, while manufacturing engages 935,000 undocumented workers or 11% of this population.

Administrative support, waste management services, and retail trade collectively employ substantial numbers, with 850,000 and 680,000 workers respectively accounting for 10% and 8% of undocumented employment. Agriculture presents a particularly striking case, where undocumented immigrants comprise 40 to 50% of all hired field and crop workers despite lower absolute numbers of around 635,000 workers, making them absolutely essential to American food production. The transportation and warehousing sector also shows significant dependence at approximately 13% of its workforce. These industries share common characteristics of manual labor requirements, relatively lower wage structures, and difficulty attracting sufficient native-born workers, making them heavily dependent on immigrant labor including undocumented workers who fill critical gaps in the American labor market.

Top Occupations for Undocumented Workers in the US 2025

Data sources: Center for Migration Studies (2025), Pew Research Center (2025), American Immigration Council (2024)

Examining specific occupations reveals where undocumented workers concentrate their labor contributions. Construction laborers top the list with 574,700 undocumented workers, with this population representing 25 to 40% of all workers in this occupation depending on geographic location. Maids and housekeeping cleaners employ 364,200 undocumented individuals, who constitute approximately 25% of workers in this field. Restaurant cooks represent the third-largest occupation with 335,200 undocumented workers, highlighting the food service industry’s dependence on this labor source.

Several construction trades show particularly high concentrations, with plasterers, stucco masons, drywall installers, ceiling tile installers, and roofers all having approximately one-third of their workforce composed of undocumented immigrants. Agricultural graders, sorters, and laborers similarly show 25% undocumented representation, while other occupations like painters, flooring installers, and grounds maintenance workers also employ substantial numbers. The Pew Research Center notes that major occupation categories show farming at 24% undocumented, construction at 19%, and service occupations at 9%, though no occupation is majority undocumented. These patterns reflect both the physical demands of the work, the wage structures that make recruitment of native-born workers challenging, and the historical development of immigrant networks within these industries over decades.

Geographic Distribution of Undocumented Workers by State in the US 2025

Data sources: Pew Research Center (2025), Center for Migration Studies (2025), Department of Homeland Security (2025)

The geographic concentration of undocumented immigrants across US states shows distinct patterns while revealing increasing dispersal. California maintains its position as the state with the largest population, hosting approximately 3.2 million undocumented immigrants or 23% of the national total. Texas follows as the second-largest destination with 2.3 million individuals representing 16% of the total, while Florida has experienced dramatic growth reaching 1.6 million or 11% of all undocumented immigrants. New York, Illinois, and New Jersey complete the top six states with 676,000, 525,000, and 450,000 respectively, accounting for 5%, 4%, and 3% of the population.

Combined, these six states host 8.7 million or 56% of all undocumented immigrants, demonstrating continued concentration but also showing significant change from 1990 when the same top states held 80% of the population. The remaining 38% or 5.3 million individuals reside across all other states, with notable growth in Georgia, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Ohio. This geographic dispersal reflects evolving migration patterns, economic opportunities spreading beyond traditional gateway states, and the maturation of immigrant communities that provide support networks for new arrivals. States with large populations also show variation in industry employment, with California heavily concentrated in agriculture and service sectors, Texas in construction and energy, Florida in hospitality and agriculture, and New York in services and professional sectors, each creating distinct demands for immigrant labor.

Countries of Origin for Undocumented Workers in the US 2025

Data sources: Pew Research Center (2025), Center for Migration Studies (2025), Migration Policy Institute (2025)

The origin countries of undocumented immigrants demonstrate both longstanding patterns and dramatic recent shifts. Mexico remains the dominant source country with 5.2 to 5.6 million individuals representing 40 to 41% of the total undocumented population, though this share has declined significantly from 62% in 2010. Guatemala has emerged as the second-largest source with approximately 1.1 million individuals or 8% of the population, reflecting broader Central American migration driven by violence, poverty, and climate factors. El Salvador contributes 980,000 individuals or 7%, maintaining relatively stable numbers between 2021 and 2023.

The most dramatic changes involve Venezuela and Cuba, each contributing approximately 475,000 individuals or 3.4% of the undocumented population by 2023, with both countries experiencing growth from nearly zero in 2019 to these substantial numbers by 2023. The total increase from Central America reached 725,000 between 2021 and 2023, while South America contributed 1.3 million additional individuals and the Caribbean added 575,000 to the undocumented population. Countries like El Salvador, India, China, and the Philippines showed no significant change during this period. These demographic shifts reflect geopolitical crises, economic collapses, natural disasters, and policy changes that have redirected migration flows, with humanitarian parole programs instituted under previous administration policies contributing significantly to recent arrivals before many of these programs ended in 2025.

Age Distribution of Undocumented Workers in the US 2025

Data sources: Center for Migration Studies (2025), Pew Research Center (2025)

The age structure of undocumented workers reveals a population overwhelmingly concentrated in prime working years. The combined 25 to 54 age bracket encompasses 79% of the entire undocumented population, demonstrating that these individuals are primarily in the United States for employment purposes during their most productive years. Within this range, workers aged 35 to 44 comprise the largest single segment at 32%, followed closely by those aged 25 to 34 at 30%, while individuals aged 45 to 54 account for 17% of the population.

This age distribution stands in stark contrast to the general US population, which has a much higher proportion of children, teenagers, and elderly individuals. The notably small elderly population of just 1% aged 65 and over reflects both the labor-oriented nature of undocumented immigration and the significant barriers older undocumented individuals face in accessing healthcare, social services, and retirement security. The concentration in prime working ages explains the 95% employment rate observed among undocumented adults, as nearly everyone in this population is both willing and able to work. This demographic profile also has implications for long-term integration, as many undocumented individuals have now spent fifteen to twenty years or more in the United States, building families, communities, and economic ties that make enforcement actions increasingly complex from both humanitarian and practical perspectives.

Tax Contributions by Undocumented Workers in the US 2025

Data sources: Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (2024), American Immigration Council (2025)

The fiscal contributions of undocumented workers substantially exceed common perceptions, with $96.7 billion paid in total taxes during 2022 alone. This breaks down to $59.4 billion in federal taxes and $37.3 billion in state and local taxes, averaging $8,889 per person annually across the estimated 10.9 million undocumented immigrants of working age. Notably, more than one-third of these tax dollars flow toward payroll taxes dedicated to Social Security, Medicare, and Unemployment Insurance programs from which undocumented workers are barred from receiving benefits, creating a net positive fiscal contribution to these programs.

At the state level, California leads with $8.5 billion in annual tax revenue from undocumented residents, followed by Texas at $4.9 billion and New York at $3.1 billion. Florida, Illinois, and New Jersey each collect more than $1 billion annually from undocumented taxpayers. Research demonstrates that providing work authorization would dramatically increase these contributions to $136.9 billion annually, representing a $40.2 billion increase driven by higher wages that legal status enables and improved tax compliance rates. The federal government would receive $33.1 billion of this increase while states and localities would gain $7.1 billion. Conversely, mass deportation scenarios would result in $8.9 billion in lost tax revenue for every 1 million individuals removed from the country, substantially impacting public finances at all levels of government while also disrupting industries dependent on this workforce.

Employment Sectors and Occupational Categories in the US 2025

Data sources: Center for Migration Studies (2025), Pew Research Center (2025)

The distribution of undocumented workers across occupational categories reveals greater diversity than commonly assumed. Service occupations employ 25.5% of undocumented workers, the largest single category encompassing food service, personal care, protective services, and janitorial work. Maintenance, grounds keeping, and repair workers account for 24.8%, highlighting the concentration in jobs requiring manual labor and physical skills. Notably, 19.1% work in management, business, science, and arts occupations, challenging stereotypes that undocumented workers exclusively perform low-skilled labor and demonstrating that nearly one-fifth possess professional capabilities and work in white-collar roles.

Production, transportation, and material moving occupations engage 18.3% of undocumented workers, particularly in manufacturing plants, warehouses, and logistics operations, while sales and office occupations employ 11.3% in retail environments, customer service, and administrative support roles. When examining specific sectors, farming occupations show 24% undocumented representation among all farmers, while construction shows 19% and general service occupations show 9% of workers being undocumented. This occupational diversity reflects varying skill levels, educational backgrounds, and years of US residence within the undocumented population, with longer-term residents and those with more education achieving upward mobility into higher-skilled positions while newer arrivals and those with language barriers concentrate in manual labor sectors that offer more immediate employment opportunities without extensive documentation requirements or formal credential verification.

Border Enforcement and Migration Patterns in the US 2025

Data sources: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (2025), Department of Homeland Security (2025)

Border enforcement data reveals dramatic shifts in migration patterns during 2025. The 8,725 encounters recorded in May 2025 represent a 93% decrease from the 117,905 encounters in May 2024, bringing border crossings to levels not seen since the early pandemic period. This precipitous decline reflects the combined impact of enhanced enforcement measures, policy changes deterring migration, and messaging campaigns warning of arrest and deportation. Significantly, the Border Patrol released zero undocumented immigrants into the country during May 2025, compared to more than 62,000 releases during the same month in 2024.

The total context spans years of migration pressure, with more than 11 million border encounters recorded between October 2019 and June 2024, roughly equivalent to the entire population of Georgia and highlighting unprecedented migration volumes during this period. Monthly data shows consistent patterns, with February 2025 recording 8,347 encounters, down dramatically from 29,101 in February 2024. These statistics measure individuals apprehended attempting to cross between ports of entry and do not capture the full scope of migration, as they exclude visa overstayers who enter legally through airports and ports of entry before remaining past authorization. The sharp decline in 2025 suggests current policies are having measurable deterrent effects, though preliminary data showing the undocumented population likely remaining above 14 million through mid-2025 indicates that years of high migration created a substantial resident population that current enforcement has not yet significantly reduced.

Educational Attainment of Undocumented Workers in the US 2025

Note: Specific 2025 educational attainment data is limited in available government sources

Educational attainment among undocumented workers shows considerable variation though comprehensive 2025 data remains limited in publicly available government sources. Historical patterns indicate that educational levels span the full spectrum from individuals with minimal formal schooling to those with advanced degrees, with concentrations varying significantly by country of origin and time of arrival. Workers with less than high school education typically concentrate in manual labor sectors like agriculture, construction, food service, and maintenance where formal credentials matter less than physical capability and work ethic.

High school graduates find opportunities across broader occupational categories including retail, manufacturing, hospitality, and transportation, while those with some college education or technical training access supervisory roles, office positions, and skilled trades. The nearly 20% working in management, business, science, and arts occupations indicates substantial numbers have completed higher education, with some possessing bachelor’s degrees or advanced credentials earned either in their home countries or through US educational institutions. Educational differences correlate strongly with earnings potential, with Bureau of Labor Statistics data showing that foreign-born workers with bachelor’s degrees earn significantly more than those with less education, though undocumented status creates wage penalties across all education levels. The growing presence of undocumented workers in professional occupations reflects both the increasing time many have resided in the United States, allowing for skill development and credential acquisition, and the diversity of recent migration including professionals fleeing economic or political crises in their home countries.

Healthcare Access and Coverage for Undocumented Workers in the US 2025

Data sources: Center for Migration Studies (2025), American Immigration Council (2024)

Healthcare access presents significant challenges for undocumented workers despite their high employment rates and substantial health system contributions. Only 53% have health insurance coverage, leaving 47% completely uninsured despite working in industries where physical risks and occupational hazards are common. This coverage gap exists even though 95% are employed, demonstrating that employment alone does not guarantee healthcare access for undocumented individuals. Those with coverage primarily obtain it through employer-provided plans or by purchasing private insurance through exchanges, as most states prohibit undocumented immigrants from accessing Medicaid or comparable state subsidies regardless of income level.

This exclusion creates a paradox where undocumented workers pay taxes funding Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid through payroll deductions and other contributions, yet remain ineligible to access benefits from these programs. Federal legislation including the sweeping Medicaid cuts passed in July 2025 further restricted healthcare access for vulnerable populations. Emergency Medicaid remains the only public coverage available in most states, covering only emergency room treatment for life-threatening conditions rather than preventive care, chronic disease management, or routine medical needs. The high uninsured rate contributes to delayed medical care, untreated chronic conditions, reliance on emergency departments for primary care, and medical debt that affects both undocumented workers and the healthcare facilities serving them. Some states have implemented limited programs allowing undocumented children or pregnant individuals to access care, but comprehensive coverage remains out of reach for most adult undocumented workers regardless of their tax contributions or employment status.

Labor Force Participation and Employment in the US 2025

Data sources: Center for Immigration Studies (2025), Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025), Center for Migration Studies (2025)

The employment patterns of undocumented workers reveal remarkably high labor force attachment. Among the 31.7 million foreign-born workers counted in January 2025, representing 19.6% of the total US workforce, an estimated 10.8 million are undocumented according to Center for Immigration Studies analysis, accounting for 6.7% of all workers nationwide. This figure rises to approximately 11.1 million when accounting for undercount adjustments, though exact figures remain subject to methodological debates and data limitations.

The 95% employment rate among undocumented adults far exceeds that of both native-born citizens and legal immigrants, reflecting the economic necessity driving unauthorized immigration and the lack of safety net programs available to support periods of unemployment. Foreign-born men show 77.3% labor force participation compared to 65.9% for native-born men, while foreign-born women participate at 56.1% versus 57.8% for native-born women, with undocumented workers skewing toward even higher participation due to their prime working age distribution and limited alternatives. The workforce concentration in service occupations, construction, agriculture, food service, and manufacturing reflects both the availability of jobs not requiring extensive documentation verification and the physical demands that make these positions less attractive to native-born workers. The high employment rate, combined with the 79% concentration in prime working ages 25 to 54, creates a workforce that sustains critical economic sectors despite facing wage penalties, limited advancement opportunities, and constant risk of enforcement actions that could disrupt employment at any time.

Economic Impact and Contributions in the US 2025

Data sources: American Immigration Council (2024-2025), Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (2024), FWD.us (2025)

Undocumented workers continue to play a significant role in the U.S. economy in 2025, contributing to productivity, consumer activity, and essential industries. Their presence supports an estimated 3.6% of private-sector GDP if legalization pathways were expanded, illustrating the substantial economic potential tied to this workforce. With billions in annual consumer spending power, undocumented workers strengthen local economies, drive demand for goods and services, and help sustain labor-intensive sectors such as agriculture, construction, hospitality, and food services.

Entrepreneurship is another important area of contribution. As of earlier benchmarks, 10% of the working-age undocumented population owned businesses, generating $17.2 billion in revenue. Studies show that obtaining legal status or work authorization can increase worker earnings by 6–15%, which in turn boosts tax contributions and economic output. Policies such as DACA add an additional $16 billion to the economy each year, and expanded work authorization could generate $40.2 billion annually in new tax revenue—highlighting the broad economic benefits of integrating this population more fully into the U.S. workforce.

Disclaimer: This research report is compiled from publicly available sources. While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, no representation or warranty, express or implied, is given as to the completeness or reliability of the information. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions, losses, or damages of any kind arising from the use of this report.

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