By Ana Brown
A new wave of research reveals how dramatically the face of immigration has shifted over the past six decades – and how it may continue reshaping the United States through 2065. Below is a refined summary and some of the most notable findings since the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act.
Key Findings & Updated Data
1. Immigrant Arrivals Since 1965 and Present-Day Numbers
- More than 60 million immigrants have arrived in the U.S. since 1965 (as of 2022).
- Accounting for deaths and those who have left, about 43 million of them currently reside in the U.S.
- When including children and grandchildren, these immigrant families have added roughly 72 million people to U.S. population growth, representing 55% of total growth from 1965 to 2015.
- Projected forward, immigrants and their descendants are expected to account for 88% of U.S. population growth over the next 50 years.
2. The Foreign-Born Share — Recent Shifts & 2065 Projection
- As of January 2025, there were 53.3 million foreign-born individuals in the U.S., the highest number ever recorded.
- By June 2025, that number had declined to 51.9 million, making up ~15.4% of the U.S. population. This marks the first decline in the immigrant population in over half a century.
- The decline is partially attributed to increased departures, stricter enforcement, and changes in migration flows.
- Looking ahead, Pew Research projects that the foreign-born share will rise to 18–18.5% by 2065, reaching a new historical high.
3. Changes in Racial & Ethnic Composition
- In 1965, the U.S. population was approximately 84% non-Hispanic white, 11% Black, 4% Hispanic, and 1% Asian.
- By 2015, non-Hispanic whites had dropped to 62%, Hispanics rose to 18%, and Asians to 6%.
- By 2065, projections suggest non-Hispanic whites will constitute about 46%, Hispanics around 24%, Asians 14%, and the Black population 13%. No single group will hold a majority.
4. Origins: Europe → Latin America → Asia
- In 1970, most new immigrants came from Europe. By 2000, nearly half of new arrivals were from Central and South America, including 34% from Mexico alone.
- After 2011, Asia overtook Latin America as the leading region of origin for new immigrants. Pew estimates Asians will make up ~38% of immigrants by 2065, while Hispanics will decline to ~31% of immigrants.
5. Dispersal & Settlement Patterns
- In the decades following 1965, most immigrants settled in four states: California, New York, Texas, Florida. By 1980, over half of recent arrivals lived there; by 1990, nearly two-thirds.
- Since the 1990s, there has been a noticeable shift: by 2013, half of new arrivals chose states outside of those traditional “magnet” ones.
6. Education & Skills
- Immigrants today tend to arrive with higher levels of education than those 50 years ago. In 2013, a larger share had high school diplomas, college degrees, or advanced degrees compared to earlier cohorts.
- Compared with U.S.-born adults, recent immigrants are slightly less likely to have finished high school, but more likely to hold a college or advanced degree.
7. Public Opinion & Impact Perception
- As of the latest surveys, ~45% of U.S. adults believe immigrants make American society better in the long run; ~37% believe they make it worse.
- Opinions vary by domain: about half view immigrants’ contributions to food, music, and arts positively; but roughly half view their impact on the economy and crime negatively.
10 U.S. Cities with the Largest Hispanic Populations
These rankings reflect longstanding demographic presence (not necessarily recent growth rates).
1) New York, NY
2) Los Angeles, CA
3) Houston, TX
California places three cities (L.A., San Diego, San Jose) in the top ten.
4) San Antonio, TX
5) Chicago, IL
6) Phoenix, AZ
7) Dallas, TX
8) El Paso, TX
9) San Diego, CA
10) San Jose, CA
What’s New Since the Original Article & Caveats
- Data update to 2025: The immigrant population peaked at 53.3M in January 2025, then dropped to 51.9M by mid-2025—the first decline since the 1960s.
- Projections remain broadly in line with earlier Pew forecasts: immigrants and descendants will drive ~88% of growth through 2065.
- Be cautious: short-term drops in immigrant numbers may reflect enforcement, departures, or survey adjustment rather than long-term reversal.
* The research was produced by Anna Brown, a research assistant of Pew Research Center focusing on Hispanic, social and demographic trends and updated in October, 2025.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the U.S. immigrant population decrease in 2025?
The drop from 53.3M to 51.9M in the first half of 2025 is attributed to increased enforcement, voluntary departures, changes in asylum and visa policies, and behavioral responses by migrants.
Does this decline signal an end to U.S. immigration growth?
Not necessarily. The decline may be cyclical or policy-driven. Long-term projections still show continued growth in the foreign-born share and dominance of immigrants and their descendants in population growth.
Will Asians become the largest immigrant group?
Yes – that is the projection. After 2055, Asian-origin immigrants are expected to outnumber Hispanic-origin immigrants, making up 38% of immigrants by 2065.
How reliable are long-range projections like 2065?
Projections are based on “business as usual” assumptions in fertility, migration, and policy. Any major policy changes, global crises, or shifting fertility could significantly alter outcomes.
What portion of U.S. population growth comes from immigrants and descendants?
Through 2065, an estimated 88% of U.S. population growth will stem from immigrants and their descendants – past, present, and future.
How many unauthorized immigrants live in the U.S.?
As of 2022, estimates suggest ~11 million unauthorized immigrants, about 3.3% of the total U.S. population and ~23% of foreign-born individuals. In 2023, an update reports 14 million unauthorized immigrants – the highest estimate to date.
