America’s population map just got a seismic shakeup under former President Joe Biden’s watch, with a migrant surge that’s rewriting history in over half the country.
Over Biden’s four years in office, a staggering wave of both legal and unauthorized migration has pushed 31 states and the District of Columbia to new population peaks, with the South bearing the brunt of this unprecedented growth, Washington Examiner reported.
This isn’t just a blip on the radar—it’s a tidal wave. Census data reveals an “extraordinary” boom in foreign-born residents, with a whopping 8.3 million added nationwide during Biden’s tenure from early 2021 to early 2025. And here’s the kicker: two-thirds of that, or 5.4 million, were unauthorized migrants, according to the Center for Immigration Studies.
“The South now has the largest immigrant population,” notes the Center for Immigration Studies, crowing about a “truly extraordinary” increase. Well, no surprise there—decades of migration trends show a 578% spike in foreign-born folks calling the South home. It’s less a trend and more a full-blown transformation.
Take a look at the numbers: California welcomed 1.4 million migrants, while Texas added a cool million during those four years. Florida’s not far behind with 828,000 new foreign-born residents, and states like Georgia, Maryland, and even Indiana saw hundreds of thousands more piling in. It’s a coast-to-coast phenomenon, but the South is ground zero.
Now, let’s talk speed. In 16 states, the foreign-born population shot up by over one-third in just four years, as the Center for Immigration Studies points out with a tone of alarm. If that’s not a wake-up call for resource planning, what is?
By the first quarter of 2025, 14 states—from Alabama to Virginia—hit historic highs in their share of foreign-born residents. That’s not just a number; it’s a cultural and economic shift that’s impossible to ignore. Small-town America isn’t so small anymore.
Numerically, we’re talking record-breaking foreign-born populations in 31 states plus D.C. during that same period. This isn’t a fleeting moment; it’s a decades-long saga of migration that’s finally hit a fever pitch under Biden’s policies.
“The border surge contributed to very large increases,” the Center for Immigration Studies report states, and they’re not wrong. But let’s be real—when you’ve got millions pouring in, the strain on jobs and social services isn’t just a statistic; it’s a daily grind for working families.
This isn’t your grandpa’s immigration debate, confined to a few border towns. As the Center for Immigration Studies warns, this growth “has become a truly national issue,” unlike anything seen four and a half decades ago. It’s not just Texas or California’s problem—it’s everyone’s.
The long-term picture? The Center for Immigration Studies predicts this challenge “is likely to remain” for years to come. That’s code for: buckle up, because the competition for resources isn’t easing anytime soon.
Now, let’s not pretend this is all doom and gloom—newcomers often bring grit and fresh ideas to the table. But when the numbers climb this fast, even the most welcoming communities feel the pinch on schools, hospitals, and job markets. Balance, not blind optimism, is the name of the game.
Critics of progressive border policies argue this surge highlights a need for tighter controls and smarter planning. Without pointing fingers, it’s clear that federal oversight—or the lack thereof—has left states scrambling to adapt. The question is, who’s footing the bill?
For conservatives, this data is a rallying cry to prioritize American workers and local needs over unchecked migration. It’s not about turning away dreamers; it’s about ensuring the system doesn’t buckle under pressure. A nation’s generosity has limits when infrastructure can’t keep up.
So, where do we go from here? The migrant wave under Biden’s administration has redrawn America’s demographic lines, for better or worse, and the South’s explosive growth is just the beginning. One thing’s certain: ignoring this “extraordinary” shift isn’t an option—not now, not ever.
