FACT FOCUS: Posts overestimate number of noncitizens living in US by tens of millions

[Jilly_in_VA]

After the Trump administration announced Thursday that it is reviewing the valid visas of more than 55 million people, social media users began using this figure to inflate the number of noncitizens living in the U.S. by tens of millions.

Posts claimed that these 55 million visa holders, plus about 25 million or more people living in the country illegally, means that nearly a quarter to a third of the people living in the U.S. are not American citizens. The total U.S. population is about 342 million.

But government data contradicts these figures, and experts say the estimates spreading online are highly inflated.

CLAIM: Approximately 70 million to 100 million people living in the U.S. are not American citizens.

THE FACTS: This is false. There were nearly 22 million noncitizens residing in the U.S. in 2023, according to the latest Census Bureau data. That includes people in the country both legally and illegally.

https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-trump-visas-illegal-immigrants-foreigners-7c9c4ee9da74de9cf146c8c4f23dbb47

Oh, but MAGATs minds are made up! Don't confuse them with the facts!!

[Walleye]

1. Don't know why they're so hung up on who is a citizen or not

It’s not like they did anything to achieve their citizenship. And whoever said there was only 22 million will be fired tomorrow

[underpants]

2. Well if you squint your eyes and flip 22 upside down and flip it over...

It kinda looks like a 55

🙄

Just adding this because Jilly couldn’t
The 55 million visas, which includes tourist visas, is not representative of U.S. residents, as not everyone with a visa resides in the U.S. The number of people in the U.S. illegally is nearly 14 million, according to a recent Pew Research Center report.

[AZJonnie]

4. The 22M number is probably data from the Biden administration

So whoever 'said' that is almost certainly already fired.

[Lovie777]

3. Targeting Latinos, even citizens, green cards, etc......................

with no due process and deported to countries that will treat them inhumane.

I see no white ones tho and there are quite a few here in the USA.

[underpants]

5. 22 becomes 55. Sharpie skills