Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

U.S. Population Growth Halves Amid Immigration Policy Changes

1/29/2026

26 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Trump's Immigration Effects

The Census Bureau reports U.S. population grew 0.5% in 2025 to 342 million, largely due to U.S. President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
Net international migration fell from 2.7 million in 2024 to 1.3 million in 2025.
California and New York posted declines.
South Carolina, Idaho, and North Carolina posted the highest growth.
Experts warn continued immigration declines could yield negative net migration for the first time in 50+ years.

History

Historical Context

The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on October 3, abolished discriminatory national origin quotas that had favored Northern and Western Europeans since the 1920s. This landmark legislation significantly increased immigration, particularly from Asia and Africa, reshaping the U.S. demographic landscape and contributing to a foreign-born population rise from 5% in 1965 to 14% by 2016.

1 of 2

Trump's Immigration Effects

The Census Bureau reports U.S. population grew 0.5% in 2025 to 342 million, largely due to U.S. President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
Net international migration fell from 2.7 million in 2024 to 1.3 million in 2025.
California and New York posted declines.
South Carolina, Idaho, and North Carolina posted the highest growth.
Experts warn continued immigration declines could yield negative net migration for the first time in 50+ years.

1 / 2