A widely circulated claim suggests that 51 million undocumented immigrants have entered the United States during the Biden-Harris administration. This figure, which has gained traction across social media, conservative news outlets, and even some political figures, is grossly inaccurate.
According to USA Today’s report on August 13, 2024, this exaggerated number has been used to criticize the administration’s handling of immigration. However, a thorough review of official data reveals that this claim is based on misinterpretations and distortions of immigration statistics.
The 51 million figure seems to have originated from conflated data or deliberate exaggerations. For context, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recorded approximately 2.3 million encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border in fiscal year 2023. These encounters include individuals seeking asylum, repeat border crossers, and those turned away. Importantly, not all encounters lead to successful entry into the U.S.
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Moreover, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) utilizes measures like Title 42 and Title 8 to manage border encounters. Title 42, enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic, has allowed for the swift expulsion of many migrants without asylum hearings, thereby reducing the number who remain in the U.S.
Given the U.S. population of about 335 million, the claim that 51 million undocumented immigrants have entered the country in recent years is implausible. Before President Biden’s administration, the Pew Research Center estimated around 10.5 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S., with only gradual changes over time influenced by various factors.
Additionally, such a large influx would overwhelm the nation’s housing, healthcare, and social services, which have not reported any crisis-level strain. The spread of this inflated number reflects how immigration statistics can be manipulated for political gain. Inflating figures to create a sense of crisis can rally support for stricter immigration policies but distorts public understanding.
Fact-checking organizations, including PolitiFact and FactCheck.org, have debunked the 51 million claim, highlighting it as misleading and entirely false. They stress the importance of relying on credible sources and official data in immigration discussions.
In a time of rapid misinformation spread, it is vital to critically evaluate information sources, especially on complex issues like immigration. While debates on border security and immigration policies are legitimate, they should be based on accurate facts rather than exaggerated claims. The Biden-Harris administration faces real challenges at the border, but the notion of 51 million undocumented immigrants is far from reality and hinders constructive discourse on the issue.
In conclusion, the claim that 51 million illegal immigrants have entered the U.S. under the Biden-Harris administration lacks evidence and has been thoroughly debunked. Accurate figures reflect a complex situation but do not support the dramatic narrative suggested by this falsehood.
