Fact check: Were there over 20 million illegals in the US under George W Bush

1. Summary of the results

Based on the available analyses, the claim that there were over 20 million illegal immigrants in the US under George W. Bush is false. The data shows significantly lower numbers during his presidency (2001-2009).

The most specific information comes from one source which reports that the number of illegal immigrants doubled from 6 million to 12 million during George W. Bush's administration ^[1]. This represents substantial growth but falls well short of the 20 million threshold claimed in the original statement.

Additional context from other sources indicates that as of March 2008, there were 11.9 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States ^[2], which aligns closely with the doubling figure mentioned above. For comparison, the unauthorized immigrant population has been relatively stable over the last 15 years, hovering around 11 million ^[3], while the undocumented immigrant population reached 14 million in 2023, which is the highest level on record ^[4].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks important historical context about immigration trends and policy developments during the Bush era. The analyses reveal that Bush actually promoted comprehensive immigration reform, including securing borders, holding employers accountable, creating a temporary worker program, and promoting assimilation ^[5].

The question also omits the broader timeline of immigration reform efforts. The last comprehensive immigration reform was enacted almost four decades ago, during Ronald Reagan's presidency ^[6], providing context for why the Bush administration saw significant increases in unauthorized immigration.

Political figures and organizations that benefit from inflating immigration numbers would gain from promoting the "over 20 million" narrative, as it creates a more dramatic crisis narrative that can be used to justify stricter enforcement measures or policy changes.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement contains a significant factual error by claiming over 20 million illegal immigrants during the Bush presidency when the actual numbers were approximately 12 million by the end of his term ^[1]. This represents an inflation of the actual figures by more than 65%.

The framing of the question using the term "illegals" rather than "undocumented immigrants" or "unauthorized immigrants" suggests potential bias, as this terminology is often used to dehumanize immigrants and create negative associations.

The question also lacks acknowledgment that immigration enforcement efforts were ongoing during this period, as evidenced by discussions of interior immigration enforcement and removals during the Bush administration ^[7], suggesting the administration was actively addressing unauthorized immigration rather than ignoring it.