The nation’s foreign-born population is continuing to decline, newly released Bureau of Labor Statistics data reveals, as President Donald Trump’s administration carries out an aggressive immigration enforcement agenda.

The preliminary data, analyzed by Center for Immigration Studies Director of Research Steven Camarota, suggests that in September the 16-year-old and older foreign-born population declined by an additional 101,000.

From January through September, the number of foreign-born residents in the United States aged 16 and older has decreased by 2 million.

Camarota suggests that the total foreign-born population, including those younger than 16 years old, has declined by 2.3 million.

Compare this to the rapid mass migration ushered in under the Biden administration, when the foreign-born population grew by an unprecedented 7.4 million from January 2021 to January 2025.

On President Joe Biden’s watch, a record 52 million immigrants were a part of the total U.S. population, or about 15.5 percent of the population.

Vice President JD Vance has credited negative net migration with helping cool down rent and home prices.

“What we’re doing is trying to make it easier to build houses, to build factories, and things like that so that people have good jobs. We’re also getting all of those illegal aliens out of our country and you’re already seeing it starting to pay some dividends.”

The decline of 2.3 million foreign-born residents in just nine months represents one of the most dramatic shifts in immigration patterns in recent American history. This reversal comes after years of surging immigration under Biden that strained housing, schools, hospitals, and public services across the country.

The Biden administration oversaw the largest wave of immigration in American history. Adding 7.4 million foreign-born residents in just four years put enormous pressure on communities that were already struggling with housing shortages and rising costs of living.

Trump’s immigration enforcement has flipped that trend completely. Instead of adding millions of foreign-born residents every year, America is now seeing millions leave. This reduction is happening through a combination of deportations, self-deportation, and fewer new arrivals.

The impact on housing costs that Vice President Vance mentioned is already becoming visible in many markets. When you remove millions of people from the housing market, it reduces demand and helps bring prices down for American citizens trying to buy or rent homes.

Democrats have criticized Trump’s immigration enforcement as cruel and unnecessary. But the data shows it is working exactly as intended and producing real benefits for American workers and families.

The 2 million decline in foreign-born residents aged 16 and older is particularly significant because this age group represents workers competing for jobs and housing. Removing these individuals from the labor market creates more opportunities and bargaining power for American citizens.

The additional 300,000 decline when including those under 16 years old shows the impact extends to families. Many illegal immigrants are choosing to leave with their children rather than face enforcement actions.

Trump’s approach stands in stark contrast to Biden’s open borders policies. Biden essentially invited the world to come to America by refusing to enforce immigration laws and creating programs that made it easier for migrants to enter and stay illegally.

The result was chaos at the border, overwhelmed cities, and American citizens paying the price through higher costs and reduced quality of life. Crime increased in many areas as gangs and criminals took advantage of the lack of enforcement.

Trump has restored order by making clear that immigration laws will be enforced and that those who enter illegally will be removed. This has encouraged many who came under Biden to leave voluntarily rather than wait for deportation.

The September data showing another 101,000 decline indicates the trend is continuing and possibly accelerating. As enforcement increases and word spreads that America is serious about immigration laws again, more foreign-born residents are choosing to leave.

Vice President Vance’s comments about making it easier to build houses and factories alongside immigration enforcement show the administration understands that multiple approaches are needed. Reducing immigration creates space for Americans, while building more housing and creating jobs ensures they can thrive.

The contrast between Biden’s 7.4 million increase and Trump’s 2.3 million decrease in less than a year demonstrates how much control a president has over immigration through enforcement priorities. Biden chose not to enforce the laws. Trump is enforcing them vigorously.

This data gives Trump and Republicans powerful ammunition heading into future elections. They can point to concrete results showing their immigration policies work and benefit American citizens through lower housing costs and better job opportunities.