Colorado has seen a significant increase in illegal immigration over the past two years, according to a report.
The latest estimates indicate that the number of unauthorized immigrants residing in Colorado has risen sharply, going from about 160,000 in 2021 to over 200,000 now. This data comes from a report by a research organization.
In particular, the highest concentration of these individuals is around Denver, the report states.
During the period discussed in the report, that number continued to climb. City officials estimated that around 43,000 illegals have entered Denver, with approximately 20,000 currently living within the city limits.
Additionally, it has been claimed that this influx has cost Denver taxpayers at least $100 million.
The organized increase in immigration has placed significant burdens on Colorado’s residents, raising concerns about rising civic fees, overcrowded schools, and increased crime.
According to the research organization, by 2023, the total number of unauthorized immigrants in the United States reached 14 million, up from 12.2 million recorded in 2007.
This surge has been linked to changes made by the current administration regarding asylum rules, leading to more individuals residing in the U.S. under protections against deportation.
“The rise from 2021 to 2023 was largely due to an influx of unauthorized immigrants, including those granted parole, into the country,” the report notes.
Moreover, it reported that around 6 million of these individuals had arrived in the U.S. by 2023, effectively doubling the number since 2022. This upward trend has persisted each year since 2021, when significant restrictions were relaxed.
By 2023, unauthorized immigrants composed one in four of those entering the U.S.
The report observed a notable decline in this trend during the previous administration, which began to tighten immigration rules and reject further applications. However, the full effects of these changes might take time to become clear.
It was also noted that there are six states with populations of unauthorized immigrants ranging from 500,000 to 2.3 million, including California, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Texas, and Florida.
