Census Bureau Reports Historic Negative Net Migration for U.S.

The United States is experiencing negative net migration for the first time in decades, according to new figures released by the Census Bureau on Wednesday. The Trump administration has quickly embraced the data as validation of its controversial immigration policies.

In a statement following the report’s release, the Department of Homeland Security attributed the shift to its enhanced enforcement efforts. “In just one year, nearly 3 million illegal aliens have left the U.S. under the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration,” the agency declared.

The Census Bureau reported that population growth slowed significantly over the past fiscal year, increasing by just 0.5% or 1.8 million people between July 2024 and July 2025. This represents the slowest population growth since the COVID-19 pandemic, when the U.S. saw only a 0.2% increase.

The stark contrast with previous years is notable. During the final year of the Biden administration, the population grew by 1% — the fastest rate since 2006 during the George W. Bush administration.

Christine Hartley, assistant chief of the Census Bureau’s estimates and projections division, officially attributed the slowdown to “a historic decline in net international migration.” While domestic birth and death rates remained relatively stable compared to 2024, the migration figures have shifted dramatically.

The demographic shift has affected nearly the entire country, with every state except West Virginia and Montana experiencing either slowing population growth or accelerating population decline. South Carolina emerged as the fastest-growing state, recording a net domestic migration increase exceeding 66,000 people.

The White House has openly celebrated achieving “negative net migration” as a policy goal. In an official statement released in August, President Trump credited his projection to the end of what he termed the “migrant invasion” and to mass deportation operations implemented under Secretary Kristi Noem’s leadership at the Department of Homeland Security.

Secretary Noem had previously highlighted that 1.6 million undocumented immigrants “left” the U.S. within the first 200 days of Trump’s current term. Administration supporters suggest that the threat of mass deportation has prompted significant self-deportation, which could explain the rapid decrease in numbers.

“This is massive. This means safer streets, taxpayer savings, pressure off of schools and hospital services and better job opportunities for Americans. Thank you, President Trump,” Noem stated.

The administration’s approach to immigration enforcement has been controversial since the campaign trail, with Border Czar Tom Homan taking a hard line on asylum claims. During a visit to Arizona last year, Homan asserted that 90% of asylum seekers would ultimately face removal orders due to what he characterized as fraudulent claims.

“You can’t demand due process and ignore the decision at the end of that due process, which is an order of removal,” Homan said at the time, according to reporting by the Arizona Capitol Times.

The administration has pointed to other positive developments it links to stricter border control, including a reported 20% drop in drug overdose deaths, which officials attribute to reduced trafficking across the southern border.

The demographic shift comes amid ongoing construction of border wall segments, particularly in states like New Mexico, as part of the administration’s multi-faceted approach to immigration enforcement.

Critics of these policies have expressed concerns about humanitarian implications and economic impacts in sectors traditionally reliant on immigrant labor. However, administration officials counter that tighter controls benefit American workers and reduce strain on public services.

As this demographic trend continues to unfold, economists and policy experts will be closely monitoring its long-term implications for labor markets, housing, and economic growth across various regions of the country.