Connecticut has a high foreign-born population. While most of those residents are either naturalized citizens or legal immigrants, many have come through illegal immigration.
The American Immigration Council estimated that nearly 1 in 7 Connecticut residents was not born in the United States. These foreign-born immigrants account for a high number of business owners, taxpayers, and voters.
The Migration Policy Institute estimated an unauthorized population of about 108,000 people living in Connecticut. Unlike many states, where the vast majority of illegal immigration comes from Mexico, the numbers in Connecticut come from several countries. Mexico accounts for about 17 percent of illegal immigrants, according to the Migration Policy Institute. Guatemala accounts for about 17 percent of illegal immigrants. There are also high populations of undocumented people from Ecuador, Brazil, and El Salvador living in Connecticut. About 14 percent of the illegal immigration in Connecticut comes from Asian countries.
Urgent: Do You Support Immigration Reform?
The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the current total population of Connecticut to be about 3.6 million people. The estimated undocumented population of about 108,000 people makes up about 3 percent of the total population in the state.
Educational statistics from the Migration Policy Institute show that about 64 percent of the undocumented population is educated with at least a high school degree. About 8,000 children who are illegal immigrants are enrolled in schools in the state.
Connecticut has a slightly higher average than many states of employed undocumented workers. The 71 percent who are employed are primarily working in service industries, construction, professional roles and social, educational or medical services, the institute said.
Connecticut has a “drive only” license program, which allows undocumented residents who do not have a Social Security number to apply for a driver’s license,
according to the Department of Motor Vehicles. The goal of the program, which requires a driver’s permit before a license is issued is “to improve public safety and to try to ensure that all drivers are tested, know how to drive and understand the rules and laws for driving.” Applicants must be able to show valid forms of identification from their home countries to apply for the license.
Vote Now: Do You Support Amnesty for Illegal Immigrants?
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.