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The number of unauthorized immigrants living in the United States was lower in 2016 than at any time since 2004. This decline is due mainly to a large drop in the number of new unauthorized immigrants, especially Mexicans, coming into the country. The origin countries of unauthorized immigrants also shifted during that time, with the number from Mexico declining and the number rising from only one other region, Central America, according to the latest Pew Research Center estimates.

Here are five facts about the unauthorized immigrant population in the U.S.

1 There were 10.7 million unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. in 2016, representing 3.3% of the total U.S. population that year. The 2016 unauthorized immigrant total is a 13% decline from the peak of 12.2 million in 2007, when this group was 4% of the U.S. population.

2 The number of Mexican unauthorized immigrants declined since 2007, but the total from other nations changed little. Mexicans made up half of all unauthorized immigrants in 2016, according to the Center's estimate, compared with 57% in 2007. Their numbers (and share of the total) have been declining in recent years: There were 5.4 million Mexican unauthorized immigrants living in the U.S. in 2016, down from 6.9 million in 2007.

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Meanwhile, the total from other nations, 5.2 million in 2016, remained about the same as in 2007, when it was 5.3 million. The number of unauthorized immigrants has grown since 2007 only from one birth region: Central America, from 1.5 million that year to nearly 1.9 million in 2016. This growth was fueled mainly by immigrants from the Northern Triangle nations of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.

The totals also went down over the 2007-2016 period from South America and the combined region of Europe plus Canada. The remaining regions (the Caribbean, Asia, Middle East-North Africa, sub-Saharan Africa and the rest of the world) did not change significantly in that time.

3 The U.S. civilian workforce includes 7.8 million unauthorized immigrants, representing a decline since 2007. Between 2007 and 2016, the number of unauthorized immigrant workers fell, as did their share of the total U.S. workforce over the same period. This group accounted for 4.8% of those in the U.S. who were working or were unemployed and looking for work. The number of unauthorized immigrant men in the prime working ages of 18 to 44 also declined, but not women.

Compared with their 4.8% share of the civilian workforce overall in 2016, unauthorized immigrants are overrepresented as a share of the workforce in farming occupations (24%) and construction occupations (15%). In all industries and occupations, though, they are outnumbered by U.S.-born workers.

4 Six states account for 58% of unauthorized immigrants: California, Texas, Florida, New York, New Jersey and Illinois. But individual states have experienced different trends. From 2007 to 2016, the unauthorized immigrant population decreased in a dozen states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York and Oregon. In three states, the unauthorized immigrant population rose over the same period: Louisiana, Maryland and Massachusetts.

5 A rising share of unauthorized immigrants have lived in the U.S. for more than a decade. About two-thirds (66%) of unauthorized immigrant adults in 2016 had been in the U.S. more than 10 years, compared with 41% in 2007. A declining share of unauthorized immigrants have lived in the U.S. for less than five years - 18% of adults in 2016, compared with 30% in 2007. In 2016, unauthorized immigrant adults had lived in the U.S. for a median of 14.8 years, meaning that half had been in the country at least that long.

To learn more: Explore unauthorized immigrant population trends for states, birth countries and regions.
Note: This post was originally published on Nov. 18, 2014, and has been updated.

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5 facts about illegal immigration in the U.S.

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The number of unauthorized immigrants living in the United States was lower in 2016 than at any time since 2004. This decline is due mainly to a large drop in the number of new unauthorized immigrants, especially Mexicans, coming into the country.

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Budweiser 2017 Super Bowl Commercial | “Born The Hard Way”

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84 Lumber Super Bowl Commercial - The Entire Journey

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THE STORY

There are about 11 million undocumented immigrants in the US. And millions of opinions on what to do.

THE WHAT

Most of these immigrants are from Central America. Many come to the US fleeing things like violence and natural disasters. Others come to work or study. And sometimes, people overstay their visas.

WHAT ARE THE OPINIONS?

Some US citizens think it's unfair that these immigrants are taking American jobs and not paying the same taxes as citizens. Some blame these immigrants for things like violent crimes and terrorism. Other US citizens note that many are taking low-paying jobs that Americans don't seem to want. And that turning them away goes against a core American value.

HOW DID WE GET HERE?

For years, Congress hasn't been able to agree on immigration policy. It blocked Dubya 43 from passing legislation that would have given legal status to millions of undocumented immigrants. President Obama had a pretty similar situation. After years of back and forth with Congress, he acted through executive action to set up DACA. That's the program protecting hundreds of thousands of people illegally brought to the US as kids from deportation. Last year, the Trump administration moved to end DACA, saying Obama was overstepping his authority when he set it up. The Trump administration gave Congress six months to replace it.

WHAT'S THE LATEST?

Still waiting on that DACA fix. President Trump wants any DACA solution to include money for a border wall with Mexico - a major campaign promise. Earlier this year, Congress came up with a bipartisan plan. But Trump rejected it. While allegedly complaining about immigrants coming from "sh*thole countries" like Haiti and in Africa. Congress couldn't agree on a replacement DACA fix and the gov shut down for a few days.

WHAT ABOUT THE BAN?

Days after becoming president, Trump announced a travel ban to prevent people from several Muslim-majority countries from coming to the US. He said the idea was to protect Americans from terrorism and other public safety risks. Lower courts blocked the ban, saying it discriminates against people's nationalities and religion. So he came up with a new ban. That lower courts also said 'no' to. And a third one. The case made its way up to the Supremes - who eventually decided that the third ban could take effect...for now. The Supremes are going to hear challenges to the ban, and make a final ruling later this year.

THESKIMM

Legislative change requires a lot of buy-in. And since this is one of the most polarizing issues in American politics, buy-in has been hard to come by. For decades.

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There are about 11 million undocumented immigrants in the US. And millions of opinions on what to do. Most of these immigrants are from Central America. Many come to the US fleeing things like violence and natural disasters. Others come to work or study. And sometimes, people overstay their visas.