PEW: ILLEGAL POPULATION HITS RECORD 14M AS TRUMP ADMIN VETS 55M VISA HOLDERS, RAMPS UP DEPORTATIONS

Pew reports the unauthorized immigrant population reached a record 14 million in 2023 after sharp increases in 2021–2022, with preliminary data suggesting a rise into 2024 and a possible decline in 2025 amid tougher enforcement. The piece highlights a broad DHS “continuous vetting” review of roughly 55 million visa holders and large ICE operations, including 646 arrests in the Houston area. Analysts link the surge to policy shifts and post‑pandemic migration, while noting about 8 million people had no protection from deportation in 2023.