Of the 337 million people living in the United States, approximately 47.8 million are immigrants— 14.3% of the population. As of 2022, 77% are here lawfully as citizens (49%), or on permanent (24%) or temporary (4%) permissions.

There are approximately 11 to 13 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States right now. In Pennsylvania, Pew Research says there are roughly 230,000 unauthorized immigrants based on 2022 numbers.

“Most undocumented immigrants are people who came to this country legally on temporary visas, such as tourist or student or even a worker visa. And then the visa expired,” Cathryn Miller-Wilson said, the executive director of Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS).

Many unauthorized immigrants work, using false social security numbers or an I-TIN number given out by the IRS. Beyond education, they do not qualify for any government assistance.

“They don't have the ability to obtain anything from those taxes other than educating their kids in school. They are not eligible for medical assistance, cash assistance, food stamps. They're not eligible for housing subsidies,” Miller-Wilson said.

In Pennsylvania, the industries with the most unauthorized immigrant workers are agriculture, health, and education.

As immigrant advocates look ahead to potential mass deportation efforts, many stress that with Pennsylvania struggling with shrinking populations— unauthorized immigrant involvement in the workforce, local economies and communities are critical to the state’s well being.

 

The Border

Looking at illegal border crossings during the Biden administration, border patrol estimates over 2 million immigrants evaded authorities and entered the U.S. without authorization.

Most immigrants  have contact with the U.S. government— U.S. Custom & Border patrol reports 10.8 million encounters from fiscal year 2021 through fiscal year 2024. They are then processed and get some level of legal standing with the country. Most are expelled/returned to their home country, detained/remotely monitored as their case is reviewed, or released on parole to get a more permanent legal standing.

“Many immigrants are genuinely surprised at how hard it is to enter the country. There are many reasons why people come here, but very few pathways to legal entry,” Miller-Wilson said. "The United States immigration policy can be summed up as ‘just say no’."

To understand more about what happens when an immigrant enters the U.S. illegally, then encounters border patrol, click here.

For immigrants given temporary legal status, some qualify for federal government aid. Many have to wait six months before getting authorization to work.

“We have created a situation where they are not allowed to work, so they are either dependent or exploited,” Miller-Wilson said.

It is often local governments, resettlement agencies, and non profits that provide resources for new immigrants.

For citizens with questions about how immigrants settle into communities, reaching out to organizations working with immigrant populations in your area is a good place to start learning.

“Following the work, the good work of these organizations, is the best course of action,” Mamar Maga said, a worker with CWS Lancaster. “-And listening more and probably engage."