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

1. Summary of the results

Based on the available analyses, specific data for 2025 countries of origin for unauthorized immigrants is not readily available from official sources. However, the most recent comprehensive data shows consistent patterns over time.

According to the Migration Policy Institute, the top countries of origin for unauthorized immigrants in the US are Mexico (48%), El Salvador (7%), Guatemala (7%), India (5%), and Honduras (4%) ^[1]. This pattern is corroborated by additional sources showing that in 2022, the top countries of origin for unauthorized immigrants were Mexico, El Salvador, India, Guatemala, and Honduras ^[2].

Delaware-specific data shows the top three countries of origin for immigrants (both legal and unauthorized) as Mexico, India, and Guatemala ^[3], which aligns with the national trends.

The US Customs and Border Protection reports a significant decrease in encounters with illegal aliens along the southwest border but does not provide specific country-of-origin breakdowns for 2025 ^[4]. Similarly, border crossings have plummeted and the number of people in detention is at an all-time high ^[5].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question assumes that comprehensive, real-time data for 2025 country origins exists, but the US Department of Homeland Security provides estimates from previous years rather than current real-time data ^[6]. This creates a significant data gap that affects the accuracy of any 2025-specific claims.

Public perception context is notably absent from the immigration statistics discussion. A Gallup survey indicates that a record-high 79% of U.S. adults now say immigration is a good thing for the country, and that the surge in U.S. concern about immigration has abated ^[7]. This suggests that while the question focuses on unauthorized immigration statistics, public sentiment has shifted toward viewing immigration more positively.

Political context surrounding immigration data collection is also missing. There are ongoing discussions about Trump's call for a new census to exclude people here illegally, which would be unprecedented ^[8]. This political dimension affects how immigration data is collected, reported, and potentially manipulated for policy purposes.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question contains an implicit assumption that current, comprehensive data for 2025 exists and is readily accessible. The analyses reveal that official sources primarily provide historical data rather than real-time 2025 statistics ^{[6] [4]}.

The framing of "illegal immigrants" rather than "unauthorized immigrants" reflects a politically charged terminology choice. Official sources and research institutions typically use "unauthorized immigrants" as more neutral terminology ^{[1] [2]}.

The question's focus solely on countries of origin omits the broader immigration enforcement context, including the significant decrease in border encounters and changes in detention policies that affect these statistics ^{[4] [5]}. This narrow focus could lead to incomplete understanding of current immigration patterns and enforcement effectiveness.