U.S. population growth slowed sharply over the past year as net international migration fell by more than half, according to new Vintage 2025 estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Between July 1, 2024 and July 1, 2025, the U.S. population increased by 1.8 million (0.5%) to 341.8 million, the Census Bureau said—its slowest growth since the early COVID-era low in 2021.
“The slowdown in U.S. population growth is largely due to a historic decline in net international migration, which dropped from 2.7 million to 1.3 million in the period from July 2024 through June 2025,” Census official Christine Hartley said.
The Department of Homeland Security quickly pointed to the migration slowdown as a validation of the Trump administration’s enforcement agenda—arguing that tougher policies have driven departures and “self-deportations.”
“In just one year, nearly 3 million illegal aliens have left the U.S. under the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration,” DHS said in a statement circulated Wednesday.
The United States is experiencing NEGATIVE NET MIGRATION.
In just one year, nearly 3 million illegal aliens have left the U.S. under the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration.https://t.co/vo5EuETV4V— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) January 28, 2026
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem previously touted departures earlier in Trump’s term, saying: “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,” in connection with a claim that 1.6 million illegal immigrants had “left” within the first 200 days.
More over at Fox News:
REVERSE GEAR: The U.S. recorded negative net migration for the first time in years, with DHS crediting the Trump admin's immigration crackdown as nearly 3 million illegal immigrants left the country in the past year. pic.twitter.com/ayDhgn9hsd
— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 28, 2026