Why Immigration Data Matters—And How Journalists Can Use It More Effectively

Immigration is one of the most debated and politically charged topics in the United States, and yet, the data behind immigration policy is often misunderstood, misrepresented, or even strategically withheld by government agencies. As someone who has spent over 15 years studying immigration data, I’ve seen firsthand how government agencies shape public narratives through selective data releases and how journalists—sometimes unknowingly—replicate misleading claims.

Journalists play a critical role in interpreting immigration data for the public, but to do so effectively, they need to ask the right questions, dig deeper into data sources, and understand how immigration numbers are produced. In this post, I want to highlight some key principles for working with immigration data, common pitfalls to avoid, and some essential data sources that journalists can rely on.

This post is an expansion of my remarks at a panel discussion last week hosted by Carmen Nobel and The Journalists Resource called “Covering immigration stories in 2025: Expert insights and reporting advice.” You can see the video of that event at the end of this post.

1. The Power and Limits of Immigration Data

Immigration data holds a unique authority in public discourse. A well-placed statistic in a news story can shape the way people think about migration, enforcement, and border security. It can influence public opinion, drive policy decisions, and serve as the foundation for debates about who belongs in the country and who does not. But while data can reveal powerful truths, it is never neutral. Every dataset is produced by someone, shaped by institutional priorities, and filtered through assumptions about what should—and should not—be measured.

Nowhere is this clearer than in immigration policy. Government agencies such as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) control much of the data the public relies on to understand migration patterns. But these agencies are not neutral actors; they have political interests, funding priorities, and public relations strategies that shape how they collect, interpret, and release data.

For example, take government-reported numbers on border encounters or deportations. At first glance, these figures might seem like straightforward measures of immigration enforcement. However, they are profoundly shaped by policy choices. If a presidential administration directs ICE to increase workplace raids, deportation numbers may go up—not because more undocumented immigrants exist, but because enforcement agencies are being told to arrest more people. Similarly, a shift toward detaining asylum-seeking families can drive up the number of migrants in detention, even if overall migration levels remain stable.

Making sense of immigration data is a big part of my focus in this newsletter. I break down immigration data for everyone—not just experts or policymakers, but anyone who wants to better understand how these numbers are produced and used. Immigration data is political, and it’s my goal to help readers cut through the noise, question the numbers they see in the news, and understand the bigger picture.

Key takeaway for journalists: Always question how immigration data is produced, what is missing, and why certain numbers are emphasized over others.

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2. Beware of Agencies Selectively Releasing Data

One of the biggest challenges in immigration reporting is the selective release of data by federal agencies. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) all produce vast amounts of data. But while some of it is made public, other key datasets remain behind closed doors.

A common tactic is for agencies to release single data points to reporters without publishing full datasets. This means journalists may be working with cherry-picked numbers rather than a complete picture.

For example, in the first week of the Trump administration, ICE released data on arrests and detainers that seemed suspiciously fast. It turned out the data was not only incomplete, but also lacked clear timestamps, making it nearly impossible to verify. Despite this, some reporters cited it as authoritative, thereby lending credibility and legitimacy to this data.

What journalists should do:

• Ask why a dataset isn’t public: If an agency provides a number but doesn’t publish the underlying data, that’s a red flag.

• Request historical trends: One-off data points can be misleading. Always ask for a longer time series to see the full context.

• Look for independent verification: Compare government-released figures with research from think tanks, academics, and NGOs.

3. Word Trouble: The Problem with Terms Like “Illegal” or “Undocumented” in Data

One of the biggest misconceptions in immigration reporting is the assumption that government data neatly categorizes people as "illegal immigrants" or "undocumented migrants."

In reality, no government database includes a category for "illegal immigrant" because US immigration laws do not classify immigrants into those neat categories. These terms are terms of art more than terms of science or law, so while they are not entirely useless in public communication, they lose their analytical value when precision is needed.

Instead, the numbers we see in the media—often from sources like Pew Research Center—are estimates based on surveys, visa overstays, and enforcement records. These analyses are useful for understanding trends but should never be mistaken for exact figures. Moreover, in recent years, as debates about the use of parole have become more contentious, the term “illegal” is now being used to wrongly refer to large numbers of people who followed the laws and policies of the United States but who do not have a pathway to legal status.

Likewise, terms like "deportation" can be misleading. There are multiple categories of removals, voluntary departures, and returns—each with different legal implications. If journalists treat these numbers interchangeably, they risk misrepresenting what is actually happening.

Best practice: When writing about immigration data, be precise with terminology. Ask:

• What does this number actually represent?

• How was it calculated?

• Are different types of enforcement actions being lumped together?

4. Where to Find Reliable Immigration Data

Despite the challenges, there are several valuable sources of immigration data that journalists can use to fact-check government claims and uncover new stories. If you have questions about the relative strengths and weaknessess of various data sources or need help interpreting them, have a look at the enormous archive of nearly 250 blog posts on this site or feel free to reach out to me.

Government Sources

• USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services)

  • Tracks data on green cards, asylum applications, naturalization, and refugee admissions.

  • The USCIS Data Hub is a good place to start.

• ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement)

  • Provides detention data every two weeks, as mandated by Congress.

  • Their online dashboards offer basic trend analysis, but they rarely publish full datasets.

• CBP (Customs and Border Protection)

  • Releases statistics on border encounters, apprehensions, and migrant demographics.

  • Their monthly reports can help track trends over time.

• OHSS (Office of Homeland Security Statistics)

  • Provides quality summarized enforcement data with some independence from individual agencies.

Independent Research Organizations

• Pew Research Center

  • Produces estimates on the undocumented population based on long-term demographic trends and other immigration data.

• Migration Policy Institute (MPI)

  • Publishes thematic reports and policy analysis.

• TRAC

  • One of the best sources for immigration court data, including case backlogs, asylum grants, and deportation orders.

• Adam Isacson’s Border Data Tool

  • Scrapes and republishes government data in a more user-friendly format and provides updated charts and data.

These data sources provide historical context, helping journalists see trends rather than just reacting to the latest government press release.

5. Strategies for Journalists Covering Immigration Data

If you're a journalist covering immigration, there are several strategies that can help you strengthen your reporting and ensure that your work accurately reflects the realities behind immigration data.

First, pick a data source and follow it over time. Rather than jumping between different datasets, focus on one or two key sources and track updates consistently. This will help you recognize patterns, identify inconsistencies, and develop a deeper understanding of what the data actually represents. Over time, familiarity with a specific dataset will allow you to ask more precise questions and challenge misleading claims more effectively.

Second, always ask for the underlying data. When a government agency releases a headline statistic, it is important to dig deeper and request the full dataset behind it. This allows you to verify the claims being made and see whether any crucial context is being omitted. If an agency refuses to provide the data, that refusal itself is an important detail to include in your reporting, as it raises questions about transparency and the credibility of the numbers being cited.

Third, combine data with real stories. Data alone can feel abstract or impersonal, but pairing statistics with firsthand accounts from migrants, lawyers, advocates, and community members brings the numbers to life. For example, rather than simply reporting that deportations increased last month, find a family affected by the policy shift and illustrate how the data translates into real-world consequences. This approach helps readers connect with the issue on a human level while also grounding personal stories in broader trends.

Fourth, avoid the trap of single data points. Immigration is a long-term issue that cannot be fully understood through isolated numbers from a single month or year. Instead of focusing solely on the most recent statistics, take a step back and examine historical trends. Ask how this month’s deportation numbers compare to previous years, who is being impacted the most, and what story the government is trying to tell by highlighting a particular statistic. This approach allows for more nuanced reporting that goes beyond reactive coverage.

Finally, use data to challenge government narratives. Immigration data should not just be a tool for storytelling—it should also be a tool for holding power accountable. When an agency presents a number as fact, treat it as a claim that needs verification rather than an unquestioned truth. By cross-referencing government data with independent research and on-the-ground reporting, journalists can push back against misleading narratives and ensure that the public receives a more complete and accurate picture of immigration in the U.S.

By applying these strategies, journalists can move beyond surface-level reporting and uncover the deeper stories hidden within immigration data.

If you’re looking for an example of how to do this, here are a few recent examples of data-heavy posts that illustrate these principles.

Immigration Data Literacy Skills to Help You Survive a New Wave of ICE Confusion

Will Trump's Immigration Enforcement Policies Target Dangerous Criminals? - A Close Look at the Data

Number of Refugees Resettled in U.S. Likely to Reach 30-Year High if Trends Continue

Final Thoughts: Data Journalism Can Improve the Immigration Debate

There is a huge opportunity for journalists to push beyond surface-level reporting and uncover the deeper stories hidden in immigration data. By questioning how data is produced, identifying gaps in government transparency, and providing historical context, journalists can paint a more accurate picture of immigration in America—one that goes beyond political rhetoric and actually informs the public. The key is not just using data, but using it responsibly.

Watch the Panel Discussion

In addition to the video of the panel event below, Carmen Nobel also published a blog post with key takeaways from the talk titled “Covering immigration in 2025: 3 reporting tips and a list of data resources”. Carmen also included even more resources for journalists and valuable tips from my co-panelists.

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