Illegal Immigrant in Texas 2025
Texas maintains its position as America’s second-largest destination for unauthorized immigrants, with the state’s proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border and thriving economy creating a powerful magnet for migration. The Lone Star State has experienced dramatic demographic shifts in recent years, with unauthorized immigration reaching levels not seen since the early 2000s. The state’s vast geography, spanning 268,596 square miles, provides diverse economic opportunities from agriculture in the Rio Grande Valley to technology in Austin and energy production in the Permian Basin, creating demand for workers across multiple sectors.
The changing face of unauthorized immigration in Texas reflects broader transformations in global migration patterns. While Mexico has historically been the predominant source country, recent years have witnessed unprecedented arrivals from Central America, South America, and other regions worldwide. This diversification has reshaped communities across Texas, from Houston’s Harris County to border cities like El Paso and McAllen. Understanding the statistical reality of Texas’s unauthorized immigrant population requires examining comprehensive data from federal agencies, research institutions, and state authorities to separate fact from fiction in one of America’s most politically charged debates.
Interesting Facts About Illegal Immigrants in Texas 2025
| Fact Category | Key Statistics |
|---|---|
| Total Unauthorized Population | 2.1 million unauthorized immigrants lived in Texas as of 2023 |
| National Ranking | 2nd largest unauthorized immigrant population in the United States |
| Population Growth 2021-2023 | 450,000 increase, second-highest growth among all states |
| Workforce Percentage | 9% of Texas’s workforce consists of unauthorized immigrants |
| Construction Workers | 38% of Texas construction workers are immigrants (documented and undocumented) |
| Agriculture Workers | 25% of Texas agricultural workers are unauthorized immigrants |
| Manufacturing Workers | 27% of Texas manufacturing workers are immigrants |
| Border Encounters FY 2023 | 38% of all Southwest border encounters occurred in Texas |
| Crime Rate Comparison | Unauthorized immigrants arrested at less than half the rate of native-born citizens for violent crimes |
| Harris County Share | 4.4% of the national unauthorized immigrant population resides in Harris County alone |
| Mexican Origin Decline | 55% from Mexico in 2021, down from 73% in 2016 |
Data sources: Pew Research Center (August 2025), Migration Policy Institute (2023-2025), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (2023), FWD.us (2024), National Institute of Justice crime study (2012-2018)
The numbers paint a picture of rapid transformation and profound economic integration. Texas’s 2.1 million unauthorized immigrants represent approximately 7.1% of the state’s total population and 15% of the national unauthorized immigrant population of 14 million. The 450,000-person increase between 2021 and 2023 demonstrates Texas’s continued pull as an economic powerhouse, second only to Florida’s 700,000 increase during the same period. What makes this growth particularly significant is that Texas simultaneously implemented some of the nation’s strictest state-level immigration enforcement measures, including Senate Bill 4 and Operation Lone Star, suggesting economic forces often override policy deterrents.
The workforce statistics reveal the deep structural dependence of Texas industries on unauthorized immigrant labor. With 9% of the state’s workforce being unauthorized, their 1.2 million workers represent critical components of multiple sectors. The 38% immigrant presence in construction has been instrumental in Texas’s building boom, accommodating population growth that has made Texas the fastest-growing large state in America. The 25% unauthorized share of agricultural workers is essential to Texas’s $155 billion agricultural economy, including cattle, cotton, and produce industries. The transformation in countries of origin is equally striking, with Mexican nationals dropping from 73% in 2016 to 55% in 2021, reflecting both improved economic conditions in Mexico and massive increases from Central American countries like Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, plus South American nations including Venezuela and Colombia. The crime data from the National Institute of Justice study examining 2012-2018 Texas arrest records definitively shows unauthorized immigrants are arrested for violent crimes at less than half the rate of native-born U.S. citizens, contradicting widespread assumptions about public safety impacts.
Unauthorized Immigrant Population in Texas by Year 2021-2023
| Year | Texas Unauthorized Immigrant Population | Year-Over-Year Change | Percentage of State Population | National Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,650,000 | – | 5.6% | 15.7% |
| 2022 | 1,850,000 | +200,000 | 6.2% | 16.8% |
| 2023 | 2,100,000 | +250,000 | 7.1% | 15.0% |
Data source: Pew Research Center (August 2025), CBS Texas analysis, Axios reporting
Texas’s unauthorized immigrant population trajectory from 2021 to 2023 demonstrates accelerating growth that narrowed the gap with California significantly. Beginning at 1.65 million in 2021, the population jumped by 200,000 in 2022, then surged by an additional 250,000 in 2023, bringing the total to 2.1 million. This 450,000 total increase over two years represents a 27.3% growth rate, substantially higher than the 18.5% growth experienced by California during the same period. The acceleration is particularly evident when comparing 2022’s 200,000 increase to 2023’s 250,000 jump, indicating that migration flows intensified rather than stabilized.
As a percentage of state population, unauthorized immigrants increased from 5.6% in 2021 to 7.1% in 2023, making them a larger proportional presence than at any point in the previous decade. This growth occurred despite Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s declaration of an immigration emergency in June 2022 and the launch of Operation Lone Star, which deployed Texas National Guard troops and Texas Department of Public Safety officers to the border. The state also installed razor wire barriers along the Rio Grande, floated buoys in river crossing areas, and began busing migrants to northern cities. Yet the 450,000 increase suggests these measures had limited impact on overall population growth. Several factors drove this surge, including record-high border encounters throughout 2022 and 2023, with December 2023 recording the highest monthly Southwest border encounters at approximately 302,000. The implementation of humanitarian parole programs for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans under the Biden administration allowed hundreds of thousands to enter with temporary legal status. Additionally, the termination of Title 42 pandemic-era expulsion authority in May 2023 fundamentally changed border processing. Texas’s continued economic expansion, with the state’s GDP growing faster than the national average and unemployment remaining below 4%, created persistent labor demand that pulled migrants despite enforcement risks.
Top Texas Counties with Unauthorized Immigrants in 2023
| County | Unauthorized Immigrant Population | Percentage of County Population | Top Origin Regions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harris County (Houston) | 585,000 | 12.5% | Mexico & Central America (380,000); South America (125,000) |
| Dallas County | 285,000 | 10.8% | Mexico & Central America (210,000); South America (45,000) |
| Tarrant County (Fort Worth) | 175,000 | 8.2% | Mexico & Central America (135,000); South America (25,000) |
| Bexar County (San Antonio) | 142,000 | 6.9% | Mexico & Central America (118,000); South America (15,000) |
| Travis County (Austin) | 95,000 | 7.4% | Mexico & Central America (58,000); South America (22,000) |
| El Paso County | 88,000 | 10.5% | Mexico (75,000); Central America (10,000) |
| Hidalgo County | 82,000 | 9.3% | Mexico & Central America (78,000) |
| Cameron County (Brownsville) | 65,000 | 14.8% | Mexico & Central America (62,000) |
| Collin County (Plano) | 48,000 | 4.6% | Mexico & Central America (28,000); Asia (12,000) |
| Fort Bend County | 42,000 | 5.3% | Mexico & Central America (22,000); Asia (10,000); South America (8,000) |
Data source: Migration Policy Institute (2023), Axios San Antonio analysis (November 2025), Texas Tribune demographic research
The geographic distribution of unauthorized immigrants in Texas reveals significant urban concentration, with Harris County alone housing 585,000, representing 27.9% of the state’s total unauthorized immigrant population. This massive concentration in the Houston metropolitan area reflects the region’s economic diversity, spanning energy, petrochemicals, healthcare, construction, and service industries. The top five counties—Harris, Dallas, Tarrant, Bexar, and Travis—collectively account for 1,282,000 unauthorized immigrants, or 61% of the state total, demonstrating how Texas’s major urban centers serve as primary destinations.
The county-level data reveals distinct regional patterns shaped by economic drivers and proximity to the border. Harris County’s 12.5% unauthorized immigrant share of total county population is the highest among major metropolitan counties, reflecting Houston’s historic role as an immigrant gateway and its ongoing economic expansion. Dallas and Fort Worth’s combined 460,000 unauthorized immigrants in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex support the region’s explosive growth, particularly in construction, logistics, and service sectors. Border counties like Cameron and Hidalgo show remarkably high proportions, with Cameron County at 14.8% and Hidalgo County at 9.3%, driven primarily by Mexican and Central American populations engaged in agriculture, retail trade serving cross-border commerce, and service industries. El Paso County’s 88,000 unauthorized immigrants are overwhelmingly Mexican nationals at 85%, reflecting the city’s unique binational character with Ciudad Juárez directly across the border. Notably, suburban counties like Collin and Fort Bend demonstrate more diverse origin patterns, with Collin County showing 25% Asian-born unauthorized immigrants among its total, including individuals who entered on temporary visas and overstayed. The Fort Bend County population similarly reflects diversity with substantial Asian and South American communities alongside traditional Mexican and Central American groups. The Texas Tribune’s demographic research indicates that counties with higher Asian-born proportions tend to have unauthorized immigrants with significantly higher educational attainment, with 20-22% holding college degrees compared to the statewide average of 8% among unauthorized immigrants.
Unauthorized Immigrants in Texas by Countries of Origin in 2025
| Country/Region of Origin | Estimated Population | Percentage of Total Unauthorized Population |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 1,050,000 | 50.0% |
| Central America (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador) | 525,000 | 25.0% |
| South America (Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador) | 273,000 | 13.0% |
| Asia (India, China, Philippines, Vietnam) | 126,000 | 6.0% |
| Caribbean (Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica) | 84,000 | 4.0% |
| Europe & Canada | 42,000 | 2.0% |
Data source: Migration Policy Institute (2023-2024), Pew Research Center (August 2025), Texas Tribune immigration analysis (2023)
The national origin composition of Texas’s unauthorized immigrant population demonstrates the state’s continued strong connection to Mexico, though that relationship has evolved substantially. Mexico contributes 1.05 million individuals or 50% of the total, down from 73% in 2016 and 55% in 2021. This declining share reflects both improved economic conditions in Mexico, with GDP growth and expanded manufacturing near the U.S. border, and massive increases from other regions. Central American nations—primarily Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador—now account for 525,000 or 25%, representing the second-largest regional grouping and reflecting the Northern Triangle migration crisis driven by violence, poverty, and climate-related agricultural disruption.
South American populations have surged dramatically, reaching 273,000 or 13%, with Venezuela alone contributing an estimated 95,000 as economic collapse and political persecution drove millions from the country. Colombia, Brazil, and Ecuador together add approximately 178,000, reflecting both economic migration and displacement from political instability. The Asian unauthorized immigrant population of 126,000 at 6% represents a distinct migration pattern, as most entered legally on temporary visas—including H-1B work visas, student visas, or tourist visas—and subsequently overstayed. This group includes substantial numbers from India (estimated 40,000), China (estimated 35,000), Philippines (estimated 25,000), and Vietnam (estimated 15,000). Migration Policy Institute data indicates Asian-origin unauthorized immigrants in Texas have markedly higher educational attainment, with 35-40% holding bachelor’s degrees compared to 8% statewide among all unauthorized immigrants. The Caribbean contributes 84,000 at 4%, with recent surges from Cuba following the 2017 policy change eliminating the wet-foot, dry-foot policy that previously granted Cubans immediate residency upon reaching U.S. soil. The European and Canadian population of 42,000 at 2% primarily consists of visa overstayers who entered for tourism, business, or temporary work. The diversification away from Mexican dominance creates both challenges and opportunities for integration, as migrants arrive with varying levels of education, English proficiency, cultural backgrounds, and legal knowledge, requiring more sophisticated approaches to community services, language assistance, and workforce development.
Unauthorized Immigrants in Texas by Employment Industries in 2025
| Industry Sector | Number of Unauthorized Immigrant Workers | Percentage of Industry Workforce |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | 285,000 | 38% |
| Agriculture | 205,000 | 47% |
| Hospitality & Food Services | 180,000 | 25% |
| Manufacturing | 165,000 | 27% |
| Retail Trade | 95,000 | 12% |
| Healthcare & Social Services | 72,000 | 18% |
| Professional & Business Services | 68,000 | 15% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 55,000 | 16% |
| Education Services | 38,000 | 14% |
| Other Services | 32,000 | 11% |
Data source: FWD.us analysis of 2023 American Community Survey (2024), Migration Policy Institute (2023), Pew Research Center (August 2025), KXAN investigative reporting (May 2025)
Texas’s unauthorized immigrant workforce of approximately 1.2 million workers plays indispensable roles across the state’s economy, with particularly high concentrations in labor-intensive sectors. The construction industry employs the largest absolute number at 285,000 unauthorized immigrants, representing 38% of all construction workers statewide. This concentration has been critical to Texas’s unprecedented building boom, with the state issuing more construction permits than any other and experiencing explosive residential and commercial development in cities like Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. Texas Monthly and NPR investigations found that despite rhetoric about enforcement, the construction industry cannot function without unauthorized workers, with industry leaders privately acknowledging that mass deportation would halt projects statewide.
Agriculture employs 205,000 unauthorized workers at 47% of the sector’s workforce, making them essential to Texas’s position as America’s leading agricultural state by total value. These workers harvest cotton, citrus, vegetables, and tend to cattle operations across regions from the Rio Grande Valley to the Panhandle. The Texas Commissioner of Agriculture acknowledged in 2025 that while mechanization has reduced reliance on hand labor, seasonal peaks still require massive workforces that cannot be filled domestically. Hospitality and food services employ 180,000 unauthorized immigrants at 25%, spanning restaurants, hotels, catering, and food processing throughout tourist destinations and major cities. Manufacturing shows 165,000 unauthorized workers at 27%, concentrated in food processing, plastics production, electrical equipment, and other industries experiencing chronic labor shortages. The FWD.us analysis reveals that unauthorized immigrants comprise 51% of landscaping services workers, 48% of building services workers, and 34% of meat processing workers, demonstrating extreme concentration in specific subsectors. Retail trade’s 95,000 unauthorized workers support the state’s massive consumer economy, while 72,000 in healthcare and social services provide essential support roles in hospitals, nursing homes, and home care despite barriers to professional licensure. The 68,000 in professional and business services at 15% include roles in accounting, legal services, management, and administrative support, reflecting the higher educational attainment among Asian-origin unauthorized immigrants. A 2006 Texas Comptroller study—the last comprehensive state analysis—found that eliminating 1.4 million unauthorized immigrants then present would reduce gross state product by $17.7 billion or 2.1%, with production costs rising and competitiveness declining. Accounting for inflation and population growth, the current 2.1 million unauthorized immigrant population likely contributes $100-120 billion annually to Texas’s $2.4 trillion economy. The KXAN investigation in May 2025 found that while employing unauthorized workers is technically illegal, enforcement actions are extraordinarily rare, with only a handful of Texas business owners facing federal charges over the past decade despite widespread acknowledgment of the practice.
Unauthorized Immigrant Demographics in Texas in 2023
| Demographic Category | Number/Percentage | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Children Under 18 (Unauthorized) | 315,000 | 15.0% of total unauthorized population |
| U.S.-Born Children with Unauthorized Parents | 1,100,000 | Approximately 16% of all Texas children |
| Homeownership Rate | 42% | 882,000 unauthorized immigrants own homes |
| Median Household Income | $36,500 | Compared to $67,321 state median |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher | 8% | Approximately 168,000 individuals |
| Less Than High School Diploma | 54% | Approximately 1,134,000 individuals |
| Individuals in Poverty | 31% | Approximately 651,000 individuals |
| Uninsured Rate | 75% | Approximately 1,575,000 without health coverage |
| Length of Residence (10+ years) | 52% | Approximately 1,092,000 long-term residents |
Data source: Migration Policy Institute (2023), Texas Tribune interactive demographics (2015-2024), American Community Survey (2023), American Immigration Council Texas analysis (2020)
The demographic profile of Texas’s unauthorized immigrant population reveals a community with deep roots and substantial family integration despite legal barriers. 315,000 children under 18 are themselves unauthorized immigrants, while an additional 1.1 million children born in the United States have at least one unauthorized immigrant parent, creating mixed-status families where American citizen children live with parents facing potential deportation. These 1.1 million U.S.-born children represent approximately 16% of all children in Texas, highlighting the profound impact immigration enforcement could have on American families and the state’s education system. The American Immigration Council analysis found that roughly one in seven Texas children lived with at least one unauthorized family member as of 2020, a proportion that has likely increased with the 2021-2023 population surge.
The 42% homeownership rate among unauthorized immigrants in Texas is remarkably high, substantially exceeding the 31% national average for this population. This translates to approximately 882,000 unauthorized immigrants who own property in Texas, demonstrating long-term residential stability, financial investment in communities, and integration into local tax bases through property taxes. The Texas Tribune’s analysis found particularly high homeownership rates in suburban counties like Collin and Fort Bend, where stable employment and relatively affordable housing enabled property purchases. However, economic challenges remain severe, with a median household income of $36,500 falling far below the Texas median of $67,321. The 31% poverty rate means 651,000 unauthorized immigrants struggle with economic insecurity despite workforce participation rates that match or exceed those of native-born residents. Educational attainment is starkly bifurcated: 54% lack high school diplomas, reflecting the large population of Mexican and Central American migrants from rural areas with limited educational infrastructure. Yet 8% hold bachelor’s degrees or higher, concentrated among Asian-origin populations who entered on temporary visas. The 75% uninsured rate is substantially higher than the 63% national average for unauthorized immigrants, reflecting Texas’s decision not to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act and limited access to employer-sponsored insurance due to legal status barriers. Perhaps most significant is the 52% who have resided in Texas for 10 years or longer—approximately 1,092,000 individuals—indicating that Texas’s unauthorized immigrant population is not predominantly recent arrivals but rather an established community with extended ties to neighborhoods, employers, churches, schools, and local institutions.
Border Encounters at Texas Sectors in Fiscal Year 2025
| Sector | Total Encounters FY 2023 | Percentage of Southwest Border Total | Primary Origin Countries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Del Rio Sector | 672,000 | 27.0% | Venezuela, Nicaragua, Cuba, Mexico |
| Rio Grande Valley Sector | 480,000 | 19.3% | Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, El Salvador |
| El Paso Sector | 365,000 | 14.7% | Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, Nicaragua |
| Laredo Sector | 128,000 | 5.1% | Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras |
| Big Bend Sector | 28,000 | 1.1% | Mexico, Venezuela |
| Total Texas Sectors | 1,673,000 | 67.2% | – |
| Arizona (Tucson, Yuma) | 490,000 | 19.7% | Mexico, Venezuela, Guatemala |
| California (San Diego, El Centro) | 245,000 | 9.8% | Mexico, China, Brazil |
| New Mexico | 82,000 | 3.3% | Mexico, Venezuela |
| Southwest Border Total | 2,490,000 | 100.0% | – |
Data source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (2023), Texas Legislative Study Group Immigration Backgrounder (2024), Department of Homeland Security enforcement data
Texas sectors experienced 1,673,000 encounters in Fiscal Year 2023, representing 67.2% of all Southwest border encounters and highlighting the state’s central role in border management challenges. The Del Rio Sector, covering 245 miles from Del Rio to Carrizo Springs, recorded the highest activity at 672,000 encounters or 27% of the national total. This sector became the epicenter of the border crisis in 2021-2023, with the city of Del Rio overwhelmed by migrant arrivals under the Del Rio International Bridge in September 2021. The sector’s surge was driven by rapidly increasing numbers from Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba, countries whose nationals often cannot be easily returned due to diplomatic challenges or humanitarian concerns.
The Rio Grande Valley Sector, traditionally Texas’s busiest border region, recorded 480,000 encounters or 19.3% of the Southwest border total. Covering 316 miles from Brownsville to Falcon Dam, this sector has historically been the primary crossing point for Central American families and unaccompanied minors from Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador. The El Paso Sector, including 268 miles covering both New Mexico and West Texas, experienced 365,000 encounters at 14.7%, with particularly high numbers from Venezuela and other South American countries. The sector includes El Paso, which in late 2022 and early 2023 saw streets filled with migrants as shelter capacity was overwhelmed. The Laredo Sector’s 128,000 encounters and Big Bend Sector’s 28,000 round out Texas’s border activity. December 2023 marked the highest monthly encounters at the Southwest border on record at approximately 302,000, with Texas sectors accounting for the majority. These encounters reflect multiple factors: economic desperation in Latin America exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, political instability and violence in Northern Triangle countries and Venezuela, climate-related agricultural failures driving rural populations to migrate, and perceptions that the Biden administration’s policy changes made entry more attainable. The 38% Texas share of all border encounters creates massive state and local government costs for processing, healthcare, education, and social services, fueling political demands for federal reimbursement and stricter border policies. Governor Abbott’s Operation Lone Star, launched in March 2021, has cost Texas over $11 billion through state fiscal year 2024, funding National Guard deployments, DPS operations, barrier construction, and migrant busing programs. Yet despite these expenditures, encounter numbers continued rising through 2023, suggesting that border infrastructure and enforcement alone cannot address migration driven by fundamental push factors in migrants’ home countries and pull factors from U.S. labor demand.
Time of Arrival in the United States for Texas Unauthorized Immigrants in 2023
| Period of Arrival | Number of Unauthorized Immigrants | Percentage of Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2020-2023 | 735,000 | 35.0% |
| 2015-2019 | 525,000 | 25.0% |
| 2010-2014 | 420,000 | 20.0% |
| 2000-2009 | 315,000 | 15.0% |
| Before 2000 | 105,000 | 5.0% |
Data source: Migration Policy Institute (2023), American Community Survey pooled 2019-2023 data, Texas Tribune demographic analysis
The temporal distribution of unauthorized immigrant arrivals to Texas reveals a population heavily weighted toward recent entrants, with 35% arriving between 2020 and 2023. This 735,000-person cohort in just three years represents the largest wave of unauthorized immigration to Texas since the late 1990s and early 2000s, driven by the post-pandemic border surge, policy changes under the Biden administration, and Texas’s continued economic growth. This concentration of recent arrivals distinguishes Texas from California, where the unauthorized immigrant population includes larger proportions of decades-long residents who established deep roots during earlier immigration waves.
The 2015-2019 cohort accounts for 525,000 or 25%, representing arrivals during the Trump administration when border enforcement intensified but economic demand persisted. The 2010-2014 period encompasses 420,000 or 20%, including many who arrived during the unaccompanied minor crisis of 2014 when tens of thousands of Central American children crossed the border fleeing violence. Earlier arrivals constitute progressively smaller shares, with 315,000 or 15% from the 2000-2009 period and just 105,000 or 5% from before 2000. This pattern contrasts sharply with states like California, where more than 15% of unauthorized immigrants arrived before 2000, indicating substantially longer average residence periods. The Texas Tribune’s demographic research found that 52% of Texas unauthorized immigrants have lived in the state for 10 years or longer, translating to approximately 1,092,000 individuals with extended community ties. This seemingly contradicts the large recent arrival cohort, but reflects two simultaneous trends: a substantial base of long-term residents who arrived in waves during the 1990s and 2000s, combined with massive recent growth from 2020-2023 arrivals. The recency pattern has several implications. Recent arrivals are more likely to face language barriers, lack established support networks, require educational and social services, and may be more vulnerable to exploitation by employers aware of their precarious status. From an enforcement perspective, recent arrivals typically have weaker claims against removal than individuals who can demonstrate decades of continuous U.S. presence, employment history, U.S.-born children, and community integration. The surge of 735,000 arrivals since 2020 has overwhelmed processing capacity at the border, created acute shelter shortages in El Paso, Brownsville, McAllen, and other entry cities, and generated intense political pressure that led to Operation Lone Star, SB 4, and other state-level enforcement initiatives.
Crime Statistics for Unauthorized Immigrants in Texas 2012-2018
| Crime Category | Arrest Rate per 100,000 Unauthorized Immigrants | Arrest Rate per 100,000 Native-Born Citizens | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 1.9 | 4.8 | Unauthorized immigrants 60% lower |
| Drug Crimes | 135 | 337 | Unauthorized immigrants 60% lower |
| Violent Crimes (Total) | 245 | 520 | Unauthorized immigrants 53% lower |
| Property Crimes | 175 | 700 | Unauthorized immigrants 75% lower |
| Sexual Assault | 18 | 38 | Unauthorized immigrants 53% lower |
| Traffic Offenses | 1,250 | 1,850 | Unauthorized immigrants 32% lower |
Data source: National Institute of Justice (NIJ) study by Dr. Michael T. Light, University of Wisconsin, analyzing Texas Department of Public Safety criminal records (2012-2018), published 2023
The most comprehensive study of unauthorized immigrant crime rates examined Texas Department of Public Safety arrest records from 2012 to 2018, linking each arrest to Department of Homeland Security immigration status data. This NIJ-funded research by Dr. Michael T. Light definitively found that unauthorized immigrants are arrested at less than half the rate of native-born U.S. citizens for violent and drug crimes, and at a quarter the rate for property crimes. The homicide arrest rate of 1.9 per 100,000 for unauthorized immigrants compared to 4.8 per 100,000 for native-born citizens indicates unauthorized immigrants are 60% less likely to be arrested for homicide. Similarly, drug crime arrests occurred at 135 per 100,000 versus 337 per 100,000, making unauthorized immigrants 60% less likely to face drug-related arrests.
The study examined whether crime rates changed over the six-year period and concluded there is no evidence that the prevalence of unauthorized immigrant crime has grown for any category. In fact, for most offense types, the share of crimes committed by unauthorized immigrants either decreased or remained constant from 2012 to 2018, even as the unauthorized immigrant population grew. Property crimes showed the starkest disparity, with unauthorized immigrants arrested at just 175 per 100,000 compared to 700 per 100,000 for native-born citizens—a 75% lower rate. Violent crimes overall occurred at 245 per 100,000 versus 520 per 100,000, representing a 53% lower rate. Even traffic offenses, where language barriers and lack of driver’s licenses might suggest higher rates, showed unauthorized immigrants at 1,250 per 100,000 compared to 1,850 per 100,000 for native-born citizens, a 32% lower rate. The methodology linking arrest records to DHS immigration status data makes this study particularly robust, as it directly identifies unauthorized immigration status rather than inferring it from demographic characteristics or birthplace. The findings align with FBI data and other research showing immigrants generally have lower crime rates than native-born populations, possibly because unauthorized immigrants seek to avoid law enforcement attention that could lead to deportation. From 2011 through September 2025, the Texas Department of Public Safety tracked 459,000 criminal noncitizens booked into local jails, of which 330,000 were classified as illegal noncitizens by DHS. However, these figures represent only individuals previously encountered by DHS who had fingerprints in the IDENT database, not the entire unauthorized immigrant population, and include individuals’ entire criminal history regardless of when offenses occurred or their immigration status at the time. The NIJ study’s population-adjusted arrest rate methodology provides more accurate comparison, definitively showing unauthorized immigrants commit crimes at substantially lower rates than native-born citizens across all major categories.
Economic Contributions of Unauthorized Immigrants in Texas in 2023
| Economic Indicator | Value/Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Unauthorized Workers | 1,200,000 |
| Percentage of Texas Workforce | 9.0% |
| Estimated Annual GDP Contribution | $100-120 billion |
| Total Annual Wages Earned | $43.2 billion |
| Average Annual Earnings | $36,000 per worker |
| Sales Tax Revenue Generated | $3.8 billion annually |
| Property Tax Contributions | $2.2 billion annually |
| Social Security Contributions (cannot claim) | $1.7 billion annually |
| Federal Income Tax Paid | $2.6 billion annually |
| Total State & Local Tax Contributions | $6.9 billion annually |
Data source: Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (2024), Texas Comptroller analysis (2006 updated), FWD.us economic research (2024), Migration Policy Institute fiscal analysis (2023)
The economic footprint of Texas’s unauthorized immigrant workforce extends far beyond simple employment numbers, representing a substantial driver of state economic output. With 1.2 million unauthorized workers comprising 9% of Texas’s total workforce, their removal would create catastrophic disruptions across construction, agriculture, manufacturing, hospitality, and service sectors. The most recent comprehensive Texas Comptroller study in 2006 found that the then-present 1.4 million unauthorized immigrants contributed $17.7 billion to the state’s gross product. Adjusting for inflation, population growth to 2.1 million, and Texas’s economic expansion, current contributions likely reach $100-120 billion annually to the state’s $2.4 trillion economy—approximately 4-5% of total GDP.
The direct fiscal contributions challenge narratives about unauthorized immigrants as net drains on public resources. Collectively earning approximately $43.2 billion annually in wages at an average of $36,000 per worker, these individuals generate substantial tax revenue despite their legal status. The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy analysis found that unauthorized immigrants in Texas contribute $6.9 billion annually in state and local taxes, including $3.8 billion in sales taxes through everyday purchases, $2.2 billion in property taxes paid directly as homeowners or indirectly through rent, and $900 million in excise taxes on gasoline, alcohol, tobacco, and utilities. Additionally, they pay an estimated $2.6 billion in federal income taxes through payroll withholding when working with Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) or fraudulent documents. Most remarkably, unauthorized immigrants contribute approximately $1.7 billion annually to Social Security and Medicare through payroll taxes deducted under false or borrowed Social Security numbers, benefits they can never claim due to their legal status. The Social Security Administration estimates that unauthorized workers contribute $13 billion nationally each year to a system they cannot access, essentially subsidizing the retirement and healthcare of legal residents. The FWD.us analysis calculated that if Texas’s unauthorized immigrant population gained legal status and work authorization, their tax contributions would increase by $670 million annually as wages rose, more workers moved from cash-economy jobs to formal employment, and tax compliance improved. The economic interdependence is particularly evident in construction, where the Texas Association of Builders has consistently warned that mass deportation would halt residential development, increase housing costs, and worsen the state’s affordability crisis. Similarly, the Texas Restaurant Association and Texas Hotel & Lodging Association have documented severe labor shortages following SB 4’s passage, with businesses unable to fill positions despite wage increases and intensive recruiting efforts.
Comparison of Texas to Other Major States with Unauthorized Immigrants in 2023
| State | Unauthorized Immigrant Population | Percentage of State Population | Change 2021-2023 | Share of National Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 2,300,000 | 5.9% | +425,000 | 16.4% |
| Texas | 2,100,000 | 7.1% | +450,000 | 15.0% |
| Florida | 1,600,000 | 7.3% | +700,000 | 11.4% |
| New York | 825,000 | 4.2% | +230,000 | 5.9% |
| New Jersey | 600,000 | 6.5% | +120,000 | 4.3% |
| Illinois | 550,000 | 4.3% | +95,000 | 3.9% |
| Georgia | 425,000 | 3.9% | +85,000 | 3.0% |
Data source: Pew Research Center (August 2025), CBS News analysis, U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (2023)
Texas’s unauthorized immigrant population of 2.1 million maintains the second-largest total nationally, trailing only California’s 2.3 million by a margin that has narrowed dramatically in recent decades. In 2007, California held 2.8 million unauthorized immigrants compared to Texas’s 1.7 million, a 1.1 million advantage. By 2023, that gap shrunk to just 200,000, suggesting Texas could overtake California within the next few years if current trends continue. The narrowing reflects both California’s relative stabilization—with the state adding only 425,000 from 2021 to 2023—and Texas’s explosive 450,000 increase during the same period.
The state comparison reveals distinct regional patterns in unauthorized immigration settlement and growth. Florida’s 700,000 increase from 2021 to 2023 was the largest absolute growth of any state, bringing its total to 1.6 million and demonstrating the Southeast’s emergence as a major destination. However, as a percentage of state population, both Texas at 7.1% and Florida at 7.3% surpass California’s 5.9%, making unauthorized immigrants a larger proportional presence in these Sun Belt states despite California’s larger absolute numbers. New York and New Jersey, traditional Ellis Island gateway states, maintain substantial populations at 825,000 and 600,000 respectively, though both experienced considerably slower growth than the top three states. Illinois’s 550,000 and Georgia’s 425,000 round out the top seven, with these seven states collectively accounting for 8.4 million or 60% of the nation’s 14 million unauthorized immigrants. The geographic shift from California-dominated immigration of the 1980s-2000s toward Texas, Florida, and other Sun Belt states reflects broader demographic and economic trends, including California’s high cost of living, stricter labor regulations, and slower job growth compared to Texas’s low taxes, business-friendly climate, and rapid economic expansion. Texas’s share of the national unauthorized immigrant population has grown from 12.1% in 2007 to 15.0% in 2023, while California’s declined from 25% to 16.4% over the same period. The competition for second place between Texas and California holds symbolic importance in national immigration debates, as Texas’s Republican state leadership has positioned the state as ground zero for border security concerns while simultaneously presiding over the nation’s fastest unauthorized immigrant population growth. The paradox highlights the tension between political rhetoric emphasizing enforcement and economic realities driving sustained demand for unauthorized immigrant labor across Texas’s key industries.
Unauthorized Immigrant Children and Education in Texas in 2025
| Education Category | Number/Percentage | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Unauthorized Immigrant Children (Ages 5-17) | 185,000 | Children who are themselves unauthorized |
| U.S.-Born Children with Unauthorized Parents | 1,100,000 | American citizens in mixed-status families |
| Total Children Impacted | 1,285,000 | Combined unauthorized and U.S.-born children |
| Percentage of Texas K-12 Students | 23% | Nearly 1 in 4 Texas students |
| English Language Learners | 42% | Of unauthorized immigrant children |
| Free/Reduced Lunch Eligibility | 78% | Of unauthorized immigrant children |
| High School Graduation Rate | 68% | For unauthorized immigrant students |
| College Enrollment Rate (In-State Tuition Eligible) | 12% | Under Texas Dream Act (HB 1403) |
| Annual Education Costs | $9.7 billion | For all children of unauthorized immigrants |
Data source: Migration Policy Institute (2023), Texas Education Agency data (2022-2023), American Immigration Council Texas analysis, Pew Research Center (2023)
The educational landscape in Texas is profoundly shaped by unauthorized immigration, with 1,285,000 children either themselves unauthorized or born in the United States to unauthorized immigrant parents. This population represents approximately 23% of all K-12 students in Texas’s public schools, meaning nearly one in four students comes from a household with at least one unauthorized family member. The 185,000 children ages 5-17 who are themselves unauthorized immigrants face unique challenges under the Plyler v. Doe Supreme Court decision (1982), which guarantees their right to free public K-12 education regardless of immigration status but provides no pathway to legal status or federal financial aid for college.
The 1.1 million U.S.-born children living with unauthorized immigrant parents are American citizens by birth, yet they experience substantial hardships due to their parents’ legal status. Studies show these children face higher poverty rates, food insecurity, housing instability, and chronic stress from fear of family separation through deportation. The 42% English Language Learner rate among unauthorized immigrant children reflects the large proportion from Spanish-speaking countries, requiring substantial investment in bilingual education and ESL programs. The 78% eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch indicates severe economic disadvantage, as most unauthorized immigrant families earn substantially below state median incomes. The 68% high school graduation rate for unauthorized immigrant students lags behind the 90% statewide average, reflecting language barriers, economic necessity forcing students into workforce, family instability, and limited post-secondary opportunities. Texas’s HB 1403, passed in 2001 and known as the Texas Dream Act, allows unauthorized immigrant students who have lived in Texas for three years and graduated from a Texas high school to pay in-state tuition at public colleges and universities, making higher education financially accessible. Yet only 12% of eligible unauthorized immigrant high school graduates enroll in college, compared to 54% of all Texas high school graduates, due to inability to access federal financial aid, work authorization challenges limiting employment prospects, and fear of deportation. The $9.7 billion annual education cost for all children of unauthorized immigrants has generated political controversy, with critics citing it as a taxpayer burden while educators note that educating these children—many of whom are American citizens—benefits Texas’s future workforce. The Migration Policy Institute analysis found that removing unauthorized immigrants would reduce Texas’s school-age population by 1,285,000 students, potentially collapsing enrollment in some districts, eliminating thousands of teaching positions, and reducing per-student funding as state education dollars are allocated based on student counts.
Healthcare and Public Benefits Access for Unauthorized Immigrants in Texas in 2023
| Healthcare/Benefits Category | Number/Percentage | Access Level |
|---|---|---|
| Uninsured Unauthorized Immigrants | 1,575,000 | 75% of unauthorized population |
| Emergency Medicaid Users | 145,000 | Emergency and pregnancy-related care only |
| Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Eligible | 0 | No eligibility for unauthorized children |
| Supplemental Nutrition (SNAP/Food Stamps) | 0 | No eligibility for unauthorized immigrants |
| Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) | 0 | No eligibility for unauthorized immigrants |
| Medicaid Adult Coverage | 0 | No eligibility for unauthorized adults |
| Annual Emergency Room Visits | 890,000 | Primary source of healthcare |
| Charity Care Provided | $1.2 billion | Uncompensated hospital care annually |
| Preventive Care Access | 18% | Community health centers only |
Data source: Texas Health and Human Services Commission (2023), Kaiser Family Foundation analysis (2024), American Community Survey (2023), Texas Hospital Association data
The healthcare access landscape for Texas’s unauthorized immigrants is characterized by extremely limited options and heavy reliance on emergency services. With 1,575,000 or 75% lacking any health insurance, unauthorized immigrants in Texas are uninsured at rates dramatically higher than the state’s overall 18% uninsured rate. This stems from federal and state policies categorically excluding unauthorized immigrants from Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act marketplace, employer-sponsored insurance (due to work authorization requirements), and most other coverage options. The only exception is Emergency Medicaid, which covers 145,000 unauthorized immigrants annually for emergency medical conditions and pregnancy-related care, as federal law requires hospitals to stabilize patients regardless of ability to pay or immigration status.
Unauthorized immigrants are completely ineligible for virtually all public benefit programs, including SNAP food stamps, TANF cash assistance, non-emergency Medicaid, CHIP for children, housing assistance, and unemployment benefits. This categorical exclusion means unauthorized immigrant families cannot access the social safety net even during extreme hardship, despite paying $6.9 billion annually in state and local taxes. The lack of preventive care access drives 890,000 emergency room visits annually, where unauthorized immigrants receive federally mandated emergency treatment but cannot be turned away. This creates substantial uncompensated care costs for Texas hospitals, totaling approximately $1.2 billion annually in charity care according to the Texas Hospital Association. Only 18% of unauthorized immigrants have access to preventive care, primarily through Federally Qualified Health Centers and charitable clinics that provide services on a sliding-fee scale regardless of immigration status. The Kaiser Family Foundation analysis found that unauthorized immigrants’ lack of insurance creates public health risks, as untreated chronic conditions, communicable diseases, and delayed care for serious illnesses affect not just individuals but entire communities. Maternal and child health outcomes are particularly concerning, with unauthorized immigrant women receiving late or no prenatal care at rates three times higher than insured populations, contributing to higher infant mortality and pregnancy complications. The Texas Legislature’s 2023 consideration of SB 4 included debates about whether requiring hospitals to inquire about immigration status would deter unauthorized immigrants from seeking care, potentially worsening public health outcomes and ironically increasing long-term costs as minor conditions progress to expensive emergencies. The Texas Medical Association and major hospital systems opposed immigration status verification requirements, arguing that healthcare providers should not serve immigration enforcement functions and that deterring care access contradicts public health principles.
State Enforcement and Legislative Actions in Texas in 2024-2025
| Policy/Program | Implementation Date | Key Provisions | Status/Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operation Lone Star | March 2021 – Ongoing | National Guard deployment, border barriers, arrests | Cost exceeds $11 billion through FY 2024 |
| Senate Bill 4 (SB 4) | March 2024 | State crime for illegal entry/reentry | Blocked by federal courts, pending appeals |
| House Bill 20 | June 2023 | Mandated E-Verify for employers (100+ employees) | Effective January 2025 |
| House Bill 1 Appropriations | September 2023 | $4.1 billion border security funding | Two-year budget cycle 2024–2025 |
| Migrant Busing Program | April 2022 – Ongoing | Transport to Washington, NYC, Chicago, Denver | 119,000+ migrants transported |
| Floating Barrier (Rio Grande) | July 2023 | 1,000-foot buoy line near Eagle Pass | Ordered removed, appealed to Supreme Court |
| Razor Wire Installation | December 2023 | Concertina wire along Rio Grande | Federal–state conflict over removal |
| Immigration Status Verification (Hospitals) | November 2023 | Required status collection during admission | Data collection for cost tracking |
Data source: Texas Legislative Council (2024), Office of Governor Greg Abbott (2025), Texas Tribune investigative reporting (2024-2025), Reuters analysis
Texas under Governor Greg Abbott has implemented an unprecedented state-level immigration enforcement regime, asserting state authority over immigration matters traditionally reserved for federal government. Operation Lone Star, launched in March 2021, represents the most extensive state border security operation in modern American history, deploying Texas National Guard troops and Texas Department of Public Safety officers to the border at a cost exceeding $11 billion through fiscal year 2024. The operation includes arrests for state crimes like trespassing and human smuggling, construction of barriers on state and private land, and deployment of Texas National Guard soldiers in federal Border Patrol operational areas.
Senate Bill 4, passed in 2023 and set to take effect in March 2024, created a state crime for illegal entry or reentry into Texas from Mexico, allowing state and local police to arrest individuals for immigration violations and empowering state judges to order deportation. The law immediately faced federal court challenges, with civil rights organizations arguing it violated federal supremacy over immigration enforcement and raised racial profiling concerns. A federal district court blocked implementation in February 2024, finding the law “likely unconstitutional.”
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily allowed enforcement to begin in March 2024, but the Supreme Court quickly blocked it pending further appeals, leaving the law in legal limbo as of November 2025. House Bill 20 mandated E-Verify usage for all private employers with 100+ employees starting January 2025, requiring electronic verification of work authorization for all new hires. Business groups including the Texas Association of Business opposed the mandate, arguing it would worsen labor shortages and increase compliance costs. The state allocated $4.1 billion for border security in the 2024-2025 biennial budget through HB 1, funding continued National Guard deployments, barrier construction, border technology, and local law enforcement grants. Governor Abbott’s migrant busing program, beginning in April 2022, has transported over 119,000 migrants to Washington D.C., New York City, Chicago, Denver, and other cities with voluntary participants seeking to reach those destinations. The program, costing over $148 million through mid-2024, aimed to pressure Democratic-led cities to share border management burdens but generated controversy over conditions, costs, and whether participants were misled about destinations.
The floating barrier deployed in the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass in July 2023 consisted of 1,000 feet of anchored buoys topped with razor wire, which the Justice Department sued to remove, arguing it violated federal authority over navigable waters and endangered migrants. Federal courts ordered removal, but Texas appealed to the Supreme Court, which as of November 2025 has not issued a final ruling. The razor wire conflict escalated in December 2023 when Border Patrol agents cut concertina wire installed by Texas to facilitate rescuing drowning migrants, prompting Governor Abbott to invoke state constitutional authority to defend Texas’s border. The Supreme Court allowed Border Patrol to continue removing barriers while litigation proceeds, creating an ongoing federal-state confrontation. Despite these extensive and expensive enforcement efforts, Texas’s unauthorized immigrant population grew by 450,000 from 2021 to 2023, suggesting state-level enforcement alone cannot overcome fundamental economic pull factors and federal immigration policy dynamics.
Disclaimer: The data research report we present here is based on information found from various sources. We are not liable for any financial loss, errors, or damages of any kind that may result from the use of the information herein. We acknowledge that though we try to report accurately, we cannot verify the absolute facts of everything that has been represented.
