Fact check: What are the top 5 countries of origin for US illegal immigrants in 2025?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the available analyses, current 2025 data on unauthorized immigrant countries of origin is not available. The most recent comprehensive data comes from 2022, showing the top 5 countries of origin for unauthorized immigrants were:

• Mexico - 4.0 million unauthorized immigrants ^[1]
• El Salvador - 750,000 ^[1]
• India - 725,000 ^[1]
• Guatemala - 675,000 ^[1]
• Honduras - 525,000 ^[1]

A 2021 Department of Homeland Security report corroborated similar rankings, listing Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, India, Honduras, and China as the top countries of origin for undocumented immigrants ^[2]. However, the analyses note that Mexican unauthorized immigration numbers have been declining over time ^[2].

For 2025, the only available information indicates that Latin America accounted for 58% of the increase in the foreign-born population, with India accounting for 12%, the Middle East for 8%, and China for 7% ^[3]. This data covers all foreign-born residents, not specifically unauthorized immigrants.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question assumes the availability of current 2025 data that does not appear to exist in comprehensive form. Several critical pieces of context are missing:

• Most immigrants in the US are documented - approximately 10.5 million undocumented immigrants live in the US according to Pew Research Center estimates, representing a fraction of the total immigrant population ^[4]
• Immigration patterns are shifting - while Mexico has historically been the largest source, the trend shows declining numbers from Mexico and increasing diversity in countries of origin ^[2]
• Data collection challenges - unauthorized immigration statistics are inherently difficult to measure accurately and comprehensively, leading to delays in official reporting
• Public perception vs. reality - despite a surge in US concern about immigration, a record-high 79% of Americans consider immigration a good thing for the country ^[5]

Government agencies and immigration research organizations benefit from maintaining control over the narrative around immigration statistics, as timely and accurate data influences policy decisions and public opinion.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question contains an implicit assumption that current 2025 data exists and is readily available, which the analyses demonstrate is not the case. This creates potential for misinformation by:

• Suggesting more recent data exists than actually available - the most comprehensive data is from 2022, not 2025
• Implying static immigration patterns - the question doesn't acknowledge that immigration flows change over time, with Mexican unauthorized immigration declining while other countries' numbers may be increasing
• Focusing solely on unauthorized immigration - this framing may reinforce negative stereotypes about immigrants when most foreign-born residents in the US are documented

Political figures and media outlets benefit from perpetuating the assumption that current unauthorized immigration data is readily available, as it allows them to make claims without being constrained by actual recent statistics. Immigration advocacy groups might also benefit from the lack of current data, as it prevents opponents from using the most recent figures in policy debates.