Introduction
In recent years, the United States has witnessed a substantial demographic growth in immigration, primarily from Latin America. According to Signos Vitales, a civil organization, 6.5 million immigrant workers are currently in the U.S., with 5.6 million (87.2%) lacking a university degree and occupying low-skilled sectors such as agriculture, fishing, forestry (41%), cleaning and maintenance (39%), and construction and extraction (37%).
Immigration Trends from Latin America
The number of immigrants from Latin America has significantly increased. In 1995, Latinos accounted for 1.33 million or 45.8% of total immigration. By 2025, this number rose to 3.76 million (57.6%). In the three years leading up to 2025, approximately 6.5 million immigrants arrived in the U.S., representing the highest number of newcomers in any three-year period over the past 30 years, with nearly 3.8 million being from Latin America, accounting for 58% of all new immigrants in 2025.
Mexican Immigrants in the U.S.
Out of the total immigrants who arrived in the U.S. over the past three years, 1.4 million (23%) are Mexican. According to BBVA Research’s Annuario de Migración y Remesas (2024), the average annual income of a Mexican immigrant in the U.S. was $25,570 (533,746 MXN) in 2023 from wages and salaries. This amount is 3.2% less in real terms compared to the average income received in 2020, yet it is three times more than what they could earn in Mexico in nominal terms.
Wage Disparity
The wage disparity between Mexican immigrants and their U.S. counterparts is significant, as reported by El Economista (2021). In sectors like manufacturing, Mexican immigrants earn an average of 2.8 USD per hour, while U.S. workers earn 23.8 USD per hour on average.
Consequences of Mass Deportation
Although mass deportation has not yet become a reality, it faces legal challenges and could potentially trigger an economic contraction in the U.S., according to the report “Migración en México en tiempos de Trump: Amenazas y subordinación” (2025).
The American Immigration Council (2024) estimates that mass deportation of migrants, as proposed by former President Donald Trump, would cost over 300 billion USD. The Peterson Institute for International Economics (McKibbin, Hogan & Noland, 2024) warns that fulfilling his promises could severely damage the U.S.’s financial health.
If mass deportations affect 1.3 or 8.3 million workers, the U.S. GDP could decrease by 1% or 7% annually, respectively. However, during Trump’s first term, deportations did not exceed those conducted by his predecessor, Barack Obama. Under President Biden’s administration, 1.5 million deportations were reported, compared to 2.9 million during Obama’s first term (Yousif, 2025).
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the current state of immigration in the U.S., particularly from Latin America? The U.S. has seen a significant increase in immigration from Latin America, with 3.76 million Latinos accounting for 57.6% of total immigration in 2025.
- What are the occupations of most immigrant workers in the U.S.? Most immigrant workers (87.2%) occupy low-skilled sectors such as agriculture, fishing, forestry, cleaning and maintenance, and construction and extraction.
- How do Mexican immigrants’ wages compare to those of their U.S. counterparts? Mexican immigrants earn an average of $25,570 annually in the U.S., which is 3.2% less in real terms compared to 2020 but three times more than what they could earn in Mexico.
- What are the potential consequences of mass deportation? Mass deportation could cost over 300 billion USD and potentially decrease the U.S. GDP by 1% to 7% annually, depending on the number of deported workers.
- How do deportation numbers compare between the administrations of Trump and Obama? During Trump’s first term, deportations did not exceed those conducted by Obama. Under Biden, 1.5 million deportations were reported, compared to 2.9 million during Obama’s first term.
