Managing Recent Immigrants

Depending on different sources, there are up to 20 Million undocumented (illegal) immigrants in the U.S. today. Cogport uses 15.2 Million undocumented as a mid-point estimate

This compares to a current U.S. population

• Total U.S. citizens native-born + naturalized 312 million

• Total Legal Permanent Residents (LPR's) 12.8 million 

Total Population including Illegal Immigrants 340 million

So approximately 4.5% of the U.S. Population is undocumented.

They are working off the record and living under the radar as best they can. Meanwhile, they also consume public resources without any contribution back in taxes.

Credit goes to President Trump for enforcing Border Control and stopping the flow of uncontrolled immigration.

Now the Major Issue is how we deal with those that have already entered illegally.

Trump has created a Sel-Deportation program to pay immigrants who voluntarily return to their home country. Under Trump’s “self‑deportation” initiative—also called “Project Homecoming”—undocumented immigrants are encouraged to voluntarily leave via the CBP Home app and receive a $1,000 stipend plus a flight home.

The Results:

• Official departures via Project Homecoming:  9,000.

• Voluntary departures overall: nearly 1 million since Spring 2025.

It is curious that 1 Million departed without taking the $ 1,000 stipend and free flight home.

Perhaps they had a history that they did not want to disclose, and feared capture by ICE under the new Administration.

That exposes the danger of having an uncontrolled border.

An estimated 200,000 of illegal immigrants are dangerous people with criminal convictions or wanted for crimes.

That is enough to cause great concern for impact on safety and security of our Citizens. Put in Perspective, about 1.8 million people are currently incarcerated in the United States for criminal convictions—spread across state prisons, federal prisons, and local jails. Incarceration of criminal aliens would increase the U.S. prison population by 11%.

That increase would be a huge add to an already stressed prison system. The best solution is continued deportation of dangerous people by ICE which is ongoing. That would relieve a major danger to our Society.

Now, What about the other 15 Million Undocumented Immigrants

There is some history on how to integrate this population without mass deportation. The concept of rounding up 15 Million people for deportation is unrealistic and totally impractical.

Ronald Reagan proposed and passed a law with a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants with the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986.

Amnesty for Undocumented Immigrants

Offered legal status (and a path to permanent residency and citizenship) to undocumented immigrants who:

• Had entered the U.S. before January 1, 1982, and

• Had resided continuously in the U.S. since then.

Over 2.7 million people eventually received legal status through this law.

Path to Citizenship

After five years as a lawful permanent resident (green card holder), eligible individuals could apply for U.S. citizenship through naturalization.

IRCA also created a prohibition against employer’s future hiring of undocumented  immigrants.

Under 8 U.S.C. § 1324a(a)(1)(A): It is unlawful for any employer to hire, recruit, or refer for a fee any individual if they know (or should know) that the person is an unauthorized alien

Employers must complete and retain Form I‑9 for every new hire, verifying identity and work authorization .

Employers found in violation—especially those knowingly hiring undocumented workers—face civil fines of $716 – $5,724 (1st offense) and up to $28,619 for repeat offenses.

In recent years this law was largely unenforced.

In 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has resumed enforcement with worksite raids across industries like agriculture, hospitality, construction, and meatpacking.

In spring 2025, raids occurred at farms, hotel construction sites, and even restaurants, leading to dozens of arrests.

In the current environment we face a situation much larger than in 1986. 

Cogport proposes that a New Amnesty program should be initiated. 

This would make the new people legal and contributing their share to the Country.  They could earn a fair wage, and not undercut wages that drag down earnings potential for low and middle income earners in the U.S.

In the meantime, ICE should concentrate its efforts on dangerous people, not the common immigrant.

We can only hope Trump sees the light on this issue.

David Hollaender                                      June 19, 2025

Cogport.com