US Sees Net Negative Migration For First Time in Decades

For the first time in 50 years, the US experienced negative net migration, according to a new report by the Brookings Institution (Center bias). 

The Details: The new report, released on Tuesday, estimates net migration to be between -10,000 and -295,000 in 2025. Brookings attributed this to actions from the Trump administration, including President Trump's immigration crackdown, reducing temporary visa programs and suspending many humanitarian and refugee programs last year. According to the report, between 310,000 and 315,000 people were removed from the US compared to 285,000 in 2024. Brookings also estimates reduced migration will negatively impact the labor force, consumer spending and GDP, with consumer spending likely to fall by $60 billion to $110 billion in 2025 and 2026.

For Context: In December, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said over 2.5 million unauthorized immigrants have left the US, including 1.9 million that have "voluntarily self-deported" since January. USA Facts reported about 8,400 attempted crossings along the US-Mexico border were detected in Sep. 2025–84.4% fewer than in Sep. 2024. Overall, fiscal year 2025 saw the lowest number of illegal crossing apprehensions since 1970, according to DHS reports.

From the Right: Outlets on the right emphasized Trump's immigration policies for the reason in decline. Fox News (Right) highlighted quotes from the report that cited Trump's "restrictive policy" and "increased enforcement", comparing it to immigration numbers under the Biden administration. It also quoted Brookings' report that, "Though deportations and other exits receive more media attention, a slowdown in new arrivals,...has a bigger effect." National Review (Lean Right) called the decrease "an enormous victory" for the White House as it faces ongoing backlash over its "heavy-handed enforcement tactics."

From the Left: Outlets on the left highlighted increased ICE operations and efforts to dissuade migrants from coming to the US. ABC News (Lean Left) also said the decline was due to a drop in entries, despite the admin's "aggressive removal efforts" and highlighted most of the 2025 removals came from the US Customs and Border Protection instead of ICE. It noted Trump suspended humanitarian programs "with the exception of…white South Africans." Washington Post (Lean Left) highlighted differences in data between Brookings, the Trump admin and other think tanks that "advocate [for] immigration restrictions." It also noted the potential negative impact on the economy.

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