Size and Characteristics of the Unauthorized Migrant Population
Size and Characteristics of the Unauthorized Migrant Population
This report is a portrait of unauthorized immigrants in the US. Examined are: demographics of migrants (how many, gender, country of origin, family composition), workforce characteristics (occupations/industries, labor participation rates, gender) trends over time.
Analysis of the March 2005 Current Population Survey shows that there were 11.1 million unauthorized in the United States a year ago.
Based on analysis of other data sources that offer indications of the pace of growth in the foreign-born population, the Center developed an estimate of 11.5 to 12 million for the unauthorized population as of March 2006.
In the March 2005 estimate two-thirds (66%) of the unauthorized population had been in the country for ten years or less, and the largest share, 40% of the total or 4.4 million people had been in the country five years or less.
There were 5.4 million adult males in the unauthorized population in 2005, accounting for 49% of the total.
There were 3.9 million adult females accounting for 35% of the population.
There were 1.8 million children who were unauthorized, 16% of the total.
In addition, there were 3.1 million children who are U.S. citizens by birth living in families in which the head of the family or a spouse was unauthorized.
About 7.2 million unauthorized migrants were employed in March 2005, accounting for about 4.9% of the civilian labor force.
They made up a large share of all workers in a few more detailed occupational categories, including 24% of all workers employed in farming occupations, 17% in cleaning, 14% in construction and 12% in food preparation.
About the Pew Hispanic Center: Founded in 2001, the Pew Hispanic Center is a nonpartisan research organization supported by The Pew Charitable Trusts, a Philadelphia-based charity.
