Undocumented Migrants in the U.S.: Vital Workforce, Low Criminality/अवैयक्तिक आप्रवासियों का यू.एस. में योगदान: महत्वपूर्ण कार्यबल, कम आपराधिकता

Undocumented Migrants in the U.S.: Vital Workforce, Low Criminality

1. Large Number of Long-Term Migrants
   Nearly 80% of the 11 million undocumented migrants in the U.S. have been living there for over a decade. This highlights the long-term presence of many migrants, suggesting that they have become integral to the fabric of U.S. society and economy.
2. Contradictory Claims on Immigrant Numbers
   While former President Donald Trump claimed millions of illegal immigrants entered under Joe Biden, official estimates place the number of undocumented migrants at around 11 million, with some estimates suggesting 13-14 million. These figures are far below the claims made by Trump.
3. Rising Immigration Court Backlog
   Under the Trump administration, there has been a significant increase in the backlog of cases in immigration courts, rising from 2.4 million to 3.5 million between Q4 2023 and Q4 2024. This growing backlog complicates efforts to resolve immigration issues efficiently.
4. Increase in Illegal Immigration by Indians
   The number of Indian migrants attempting to enter the U.S. illegally has surged, with more than 96,000 Indian migrants stopped in 2023 and 90,000 in 2024, compared to just over 1,500 a decade ago. This increase highlights a shifting migration pattern to the U.S.
5. Low Criminal Activity Among Undocumented Migrants
   Contrary to claims that undocumented migrants fuel violent crime, data shows that their rate of violent crime is significantly lower than that of U.S.-born citizens. The crime rate for undocumented migrants was half that of U.S.-born citizens in Texas between 2012-2018.
6. Economic Contribution of Undocumented Migrants
   Undocumented migrants make up a significant portion of the U.S. workforce, particularly in construction, agriculture, and essential services. A 2018 study estimated that 5.5 million undocumented migrants were involved in these sectors. Deportation would disrupt these industries, creating labor shortages.
7. Impact of Mass Deportation on Services
   If mass deportations occur, industries like construction, agriculture, and essential services such as landscaping, auto repair, and laundry would face severe disruptions. This is because undocumented migrants play a crucial role in keeping these sectors functioning.
8. Unclear Understanding of Migrant Numbers
   Recent deportation efforts are taking place without a full understanding of the exact number of undocumented migrants. Many have lived in the U.S. for decades, are part of the workforce, and have lower levels of criminality, raising concerns about the practical and social impact of their deportation.

In summary, while there is significant debate and policy action around undocumented migrants, these individuals contribute crucially to the U.S. economy and are not as heavily involved in criminal activities as often portrayed. The mass deportation proposals may create substantial disruption in key sectors reliant on their labor.