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Are there really 11 million undocumented immigrants in the US?
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May 9, 2013
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Are there really 11 million undocumented immigrants in the US?
Eleven million. That's the estimated number of immigrants living in the U.S. illegally, and its become the most-cited statistic in the immigration reform debate. But how did we even arrive at that figure, and is it even accurate?
Marchers in downtown Los Angeles on May 1, 2006, during a peak in public momentum for immigration reform as immigrant rights marches took place nationwide. Comprehensive reform bills failed to make it out of Congress in 2006 and 2007.
Marchers in downtown Los Angeles on May 1, 2006, during a peak in public momentum for immigration reform as immigrant rights marches took place nationwide. Comprehensive reform bills failed to make it out of Congress in 2006 and 2007.
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Photo by jeromebot/Flickr (Creative Commons)
)

Eleven million. That's the estimated number of immigrants living in the U.S. illegally, and its become the most-cited statistic in the immigration reform debate. But how did we even arrive at that figure, and is it even accurate?

Eleven million. That's the estimated number of immigrants living in the U.S. illegally, and its become the most-cited statistic in the immigration reform debate. But how did we even arrive at that figure, and is it even accurate? 

From the Fronteras Desk, Adrian Florido took a closer look.