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Troubleshooting USTravelDocs Login Issues: How to Prevent and Fix Unexpected Logouts

Experiencing ustraveldocs login issues or frequent logouts learn how to prevent and fix ustraveldocs logout problems to streamline your travel documentation process..

Key Takeaways:

• Prevent and fix USTravelDocs login issues with tips like clearing your browser’s cache and having a stable internet connection.
• If login issues persist, try resetting your password, disabling browser extensions, and contacting customer support.
• Stay updated on government advisories and seek assistance from online forums or immigration experts for persistent problems.

Navigating USTravelDocs Login Issues: A Guide to Seamless Account Access

Are you experiencing frequent logouts on USTravelDocs, resulting in interruptions to your visa application process ? This can be particularly frustrating when you’re trying to schedule appointments or fill out necessary forms for your travel to the United States. In this blog post, we’ll explore some effective strategies to prevent or fix USTravelDocs login issues, ensuring your immigration tasks proceed smoothly.

Understanding USTravelDocs System Requirements

Before delving into solutions, it’s important to understand that the USTravelDocs website has specific system requirements for optimal performance. Ensure that your browser is up-to-date and that cookies and JavaScript are enabled. Occasionally, technical glitches can result from outdated software or incompatible browsers.

Also of Interest:

Starting an llc with an h4 ead status: what you need to know, deportation risk for illegal immigrants with misdemeanor charges.

How to Prevent USTravelDocs Logout

Preventing unexpected logouts on USTravelDocs begins with addressing common triggers. Here are actionable tips to enhance your user experience:

• Persistent Internet Connection: A stable internet connection is crucial. Interruptions in connectivity can cause the site to logout automatically.
• Browser Compatibility: Use a supported browser. USTravelDocs is designed to work best with browsers like Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Internet Explorer.
• Clear Your Browser’s Cache: Regularly clear your cache and cookies. This prevents login issues that arise from stored data conflicts.

Solving USTravelDocs Login Issues

Despite taking preventive measures, if you find yourself facing login issues, there are several steps you can take:

• Reset Your Password: Simple but often effective, resetting your password can resolve login problems. Make sure to create a strong, unique password according to the website’s guidelines.
• Disable Browser Extensions/Add-ons: Certain extensions or add-ons may interfere with website functionality. Try accessing USTravelDocs with extensions disabled.
• Check Website Updates: At times, USTravelDocs may be undergoing maintenance. Check for any notifications about updates or downtime schedules.

What to Do If Preventative Steps Fail

If you’ve followed the above advice and are still experiencing ustraveldocs login issues or frequent logouts, further investigation is required:

• Customer Support: Reach out to USTravelDocs customer support for assistance. Their team can guide you through troubleshooting steps specific to your situation.

Check Government Advisories: Keep an eye on official advisories that may affect website operations. For example, high-traffic periods can cause technical difficulties.

USTravelDocs Login Issues Forum: Sometimes, other users can provide insights into how they resolved similar issues. Online communities and forums can be a resource for shared experiences and solutions.

Remember, when dealing with ustraveldocs login issues, patience and persistence are key. With these tips, you can aim for a hassle-free experience as you manage your visa application or immigration procedures. And, if you encounter persistent problems, don’t hesitate to seek professional assistance from immigration experts or technical support teams.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information on visa processes and USTravelDocs operations, always refer to the official website and government resources. They are your best source for official announcements and guidelines regarding travel and immigration to the United States.

Navigating the USTravelDocs platform should not detract from your excitement about traveling to or within the United States. With the right troubleshooting techniques and assistance from customer support when necessary, you can address the ustraveldocs login issues effectively and focus on the more important aspects of your journey.

Did You Know?

• Immigrants Make Up a Significant Percentage of the U.S. Workforce: Did you know that immigrants play a major role in the U.S. workforce? According to the Migration Policy Institute, as of 2018, immigrants accounted for approximately 17% of the total U.S. civilian workforce. They contribute to various sectors, including healthcare, technology, agriculture, and construction, among others.

The United States Has a Long History of Immigration: Immigration to the United States is not a recent phenomenon. In fact, the country has a rich history of immigration dating back centuries. From the early colonial period to the present day, waves of immigrants from different parts of the world have shaped the cultural and ethnic diversity of the United States.

Diversity Visa Lottery: Every year, the United States Diversity Visa (DV) lottery program provides an opportunity for individuals from countries with historically low immigration rates to have a chance at obtaining permanent residency. The program allocates 50,000 visas through a randomized selection process, offering a unique pathway for immigration to the United States.

Temporary Protected Status: Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a program established by the U.S. government to provide temporary relief and protection to eligible individuals from certain countries experiencing ongoing armed conflict, natural disasters, or other extraordinary conditions. TPS grants individuals the ability to reside and work legally in the United States until the conditions in their home country improve.

Language Diversity: The United States is a linguistically diverse country, with over 350 languages spoken by its residents. While English is the most widely spoken language, other commonly spoken languages include Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, French, Arabic, and Korean, among others. This linguistic diversity reflects the nation’s history of immigration and cultural integration.

Refugees and Asylum Seekers : The United States is a key destination for refugees and asylum seekers fleeing persecution, violence, or other forms of harm in their home countries. The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program provides a pathway for refugees to seek protection and resettlement in the United States, while asylum seekers present themselves at the U.S. border or within the country to seek protection under international humanitarian law.

Naturalization Process: Becoming a U.S. citizen through naturalization is a significant milestone for many immigrants. To qualify for naturalization, immigrants must meet certain requirements, including a period of lawful permanent residency, knowledge of English and U.S. civics, and good moral character. Once naturalized, individuals gain the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship.

Family-Based Immigration: Family reunification is a cornerstone of the U.S. immigration system. U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents can sponsor their immediate relatives, including spouses, parents, and unmarried children, for immigration to the United States. Family-based immigration helps strengthen family bonds and contributes to the social fabric of the nation.

Contributions of Immigrant Entrepreneurs: Immigrants have long been an integral part of America’s entrepreneurial spirit. Many iconic U.S. companies, including Google, Tesla, and Intel, were co-founded by immigrant entrepreneurs. These visionary individuals have not only created jobs but also driven innovation and economic growth, making significant contributions to the United States.

Dreamers and DACA: The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, established in 2012, provides temporary relief from deportation and work authorization to eligible individuals who were brought to the United States as children. Known as Dreamers, these individuals have grown up in the United States and consider it their home, contributing to their communities and aspiring to achieve their dreams.

Remember, immigration is a complex and multifaceted topic. Exploring these lesser-known facts not only enhances our understanding of the subject but also promotes a more inclusive and informed discussion about immigration’s impact on society.

Learn today

Glossary or Definitions

• USTravelDocs : An online platform operated by the U.S. Department of State that facilitates visa application processes and provides information related to travel and immigration to the United States.

Logouts : The act of being logged out or signed out of the USTravelDocs platform, resulting in the user being required to sign in again to continue using the services.

Visa : A document issued by a country’s government allowing an individual to enter, stay, or reside in that country for a specific period, typically for the purpose of tourism, work, study, or other authorized activities.

Appointment : A scheduled meeting or time slot for an individual to visit a U.S. embassy or consulate to complete visa-related processes, such as interviews or document submissions.

Browser : A software application used to access and view websites on the internet. Examples of commonly used browsers include Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, and Microsoft Internet Explorer.

Cookies : Small files stored on a user’s computer that contain information related to a user’s browsing activity on a specific website. Cookies can enhance the user experience by remembering preferences or login information.

JavaScript : A programming language commonly used to add interactivity and dynamic elements to websites. Enabling JavaScript is often necessary for websites to function properly.

Persistent Internet Connection : A stable and continuous internet connection that remains active without interruptions. A persistent internet connection ensures smooth and uninterrupted access to the USTravelDocs platform.

Browser Compatibility : The ability of a website or online platform to function optimally across different web browsers, such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, or Microsoft Internet Explorer. USTravelDocs is designed to work best with these supported browsers.

Cache : A temporary storage location in a web browser where copies of recently viewed web pages, images, or other data are stored. Clearing the cache removes this stored data and can help resolve login issues caused by conflicts or outdated information.

Reset Your Password : The act of changing or creating a new password for your USTravelDocs account. Resetting your password can often resolve login problems and enhance the security of your account.

Browser Extensions/Add-ons : Additional software components or tools that can be added to a browser to enhance its functionality or provide specific features. However, some browser extensions or add-ons may interfere with the proper functioning of the USTravelDocs website.

Website Updates : Changes or modifications made to the USTravelDocs website to improve performance, fix bugs, or introduce new features. Checking for website updates is important as maintenance or updates may occasionally affect login functionality.

Customer Support : A service provided by USTravelDocs to assist users with technical issues, troubleshooting, and resolving problems related to their account or the platform.

Government Advisories : Official announcements or notifications issued by the U.S. government or relevant authorities regarding travel, immigration, or any issues that may affect the operations of the USTravelDocs platform.

USTravelDocs Login Issues Forum : An online community or forum where users can discuss and share experiences, insights, and solutions related to login issues encountered on the USTravelDocs platform.

Immigration Experts : Professionals with specialized knowledge and expertise in immigration law, regulations, and processes. They can provide guidance and assistance in navigating visa applications and other immigration-related procedures.

Technical Support Teams : Groups of professionals experienced in troubleshooting technical issues and providing assistance with software, hardware, or online platforms such as USTravelDocs. They can help identify and resolve login issues that may be caused by technical glitches or errors.

This Article in a Nutshell:

Experiencing USTravelDocs login issues? Ensure your browser is up-to-date, clear cache and cookies, and have a stable internet connection. Reset your password and disable browser extensions/add-ons. Contact customer support or check government advisories for updates. Seek help from online forums or professionals if issues persist. Patience and persistence pay off. Happy travels!

So there you have it, folks! Navigating the USTravelDocs login issues is no longer a daunting task. Armed with these tips and tricks, you can bid farewell to those frequent logouts and embrace a seamless visa application process. Remember, if you want more on all things travel and immigration, check out visaverge.com. Happy travels and smooth logins await you!

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US visa CGI account frozen for 72 hours: What causes it and how to prevent it?

Published: June 15, 2022 51 Comments

With the limited availability of US visa appointments, it’s already a pain to find an appointment for your visa interview. You have to check for available appointments several times a day, even at odd hours such as late nights or early mornings. And, on top of that, it’s quite frustrating if your US visa account is frozen for 72 hours for suspicious activity. 

When your CGI account is frozen, you are often presented with the following error message.

“Your account has been frozen for suspicious activity, and you will not be able to access it for up to 72 hours. Your account will be unfrozen automatically after that time. Our call center agents will not be able to assist you with unfreezing your account or scheduling your appointment until then.”

Having your CGI account frozen for 72 hours is frustrating and discouraging. It crushes your hopes. Especially when you haven’t done anything suspicious. You were only trying to book an appointment for your visa interview. What’s suspicious about it? You weren’t trying to game the system or hack someone’s account. It’s your own account. You paid $160 for the fee, not a small amount. You deserve to book an appointment. 

I hear you. I have been there. I know why it happens and how to avoid it. In this article, I will explain why a CGI account gets frozen for 72 hours, how to prevent it and if there are any options to unfreeze a frozen account. 

What does it mean by a CGI account frozen for 72 hours?

Your visa appointment (also called CGI Federal or US Travel Docs) account is frozen for 72 hours when you see the following message on your account. 

When you see the above message, your visa appointment account is locked for 72 hours and you cannot log back in for at least 72 hours. 

The 72 hours is calculated from the first time you see the error message. So any repeated login attempts will not prolong the time. Any attempt to change the password will not extend the time either. 

Related: How to schedule a US visa interview – A step-by-step guide

Why does a CGI account freeze for 72 hours?

The main reason why this is in place is to prevent agents and bots from gaming the system and taking away the opportunity for individual applicants to book appointments that they deserve. 

Agents that deal with US visa applications often have a pool of “placeholder” accounts. They use these accounts to look up and hold appointments. Since these accounts are used to view the availability and/or hold appointments but never to actually attend an appointment, they are repeatedly used for months and years. Some agents use bots to automate this activity. 

Here is an example of why these agents use such placeholder accounts. The US visa fee is $160 and is valid for one year. If an agent can find appointments for 10 applicants and charge $100 each, that is a $1,000 return from a $160 investment. That’s a very good return on investment. So depending on how many clients they have and how big their business is, they maintain tens or even hundreds of such placeholder accounts.

If you think about it, this practice of looking up or holding appointments can lead to limited or unavailability of appointments for those that genuinely need them. 

CGI Inc. , the software company that built and maintains the US visa appointment systems, has features to curb such practice. When the CGI Federal system senses that an account is often used to look up availability or hold appointments more often than necessary, it flags the account suspicious and freezes it for 72 hours. 

Now, there isn’t an easy way to determine whether an account is a real account or some agent’s placeholder account. So the criteria for flagging suspicious accounts can sometimes freeze real accounts. And that’s also a reason why the accounts are temporarily frozen for 72 hours instead of permanently banning them. 

CGI Federal is actively working on making its systems more efficient but as of now, a few extra clicks or lookups can flag your account as suspicious and can get your CGI Federal account frozen for 72 hours. 

How to unfreeze CGI account?

The only way to unfreeze CGI account is to wait 72 hours. But there have been instances where the accounts were released/unfrozen after 24 hours. Therefore, wait about 24 hours and then access your account. Trying once every 24 or 36 hours will help figure out if your account is unfrozen and you can log back in. 

Any attempts to log in while your account is frozen will not reset the clock or extend the frozen time. So there is no harm in trying to log in once every 24 or 36 hours. 

Also, contacting customer service or changing password will not unfreeze your account. Creating a new account and paying the fee again will not work either, since the new account will be flagged as a duplicate as most of the information will be identical to the frozen account.

Therefore, there is no option other than waiting 72 hours. The smart option is to prevent an account freeze. 

How to prevent a CGI account freeze for 72 hours?

Your US visa account might freeze for many reasons. Only the developers at CGI Federal would know the exact reasons. Below is the list of activities that I think are considered suspicious by CGI Federal. Avoiding these suspicious activities will prevent your CGI account from freezing for 72 hours. 

DISCLAIMER The below list is based on my own personal experience and knowledge. Only the developers at CGI Federal know what activities constitute suspicious. Therefore, we shall not be held liable for any inaccuracies.  

Suspicious Activity 1: Concurrent logins

Your visa account is frozen for 72 hours if CGI Federal notices that you have logged into your account concurrently. Concurrent logins indicate that your account may be a placeholder account and several people are using it to view appointments. 

Here are some of the ways to avoid concurrent logins.

1. Do not share your login information with others

It’s not an uncommon practice to share login information with family and friends to maximize the chances of finding an appointment. But this can backfire as concurrent logins are considered suspicious activity. Do not share your login information with others. 

2. Use only one browser for your CGI account

Logging into your CGI account from different browsers and not properly logging off can seem like concurrent logins. Always use only one browser on your computer to log into your CGI account. 

3. Log off completely after you view the available appointments

Keeping the tabs or browsers open or closing them without properly logging off can keep the sessions alive on the server. These may seem like concurrent logins. Always log off completely after you are done using your CGI account. 

Suspicious Activity 2: Logging in from different devices

Your visa account is frozen for 72 hours if CGI Federal notices that you have been logging into your account from different devices. Similar to concurrent logins, logging in from different devices may raise red flags suspecting that your account may be a placeholder account. 

Here are some of the ways to avoid logging in from different devices.

1. Use only one device, preferably a computer/laptop

A US visa is a serious endeavor and you should use a computer or laptop for your visa application and appointment booking. Mobile phone screens are too small and they can be cumbersome to handle an activity such as booking a US visa appointment . 

Whichever device you pick, make sure to use the same device throughout the visa appointment booking process. 

2. Always use the same computer/laptop 

If you prefer to use a computer/laptop for booking your US visa appointment, use the same computer/laptop for logging into your account every time. 

If you prefer to share your login with someone at home so you can look up appointments round the clock, have them use the same computer/laptop. Divide up your time into blocks and have each of you use the same laptop in that block of time. 

Suspicious Activity 3: Performing more than 12 actions in one session

Performing more than 12 actions in one session will not right away result in an account freeze, but will result in getting blocked from viewing the appointments until 12am EST the next day. 

If you are close to performing 12 actions, you will be presented with a “you are approaching the maximum number of times you may view this page…” message. 

When this message is shown, simply finish booking your appointment or log off completely. And, do not log back in for at least 6 hours, otherwise, you risk getting your CGI Federal account frozen for 72 hours. 

RELATED: You are approaching the maximum number of times: What causes this error and how to avoid it?

Suspicious Activity 4: Logging in more than 4 times in a day

Logging into your CGI account way too many times in a day can also freeze your account. But how many times is way too many times?

How many times can you login to CGI Federal in a day?

You can login to CGI Federal up to 4 times a day. Logging in more than 4 times a day can trigger suspicious activity which can lead to your CGI account frozen for 72 hours. If you are going to check your appointments 24×7, then space your logins at least 6 hours apart.

It’s already a pain to find an appointment for your US tourist visa due to limited availability. On top of that, it’s frustrating if your US visa account gets frozen for 72 hours. You are often presented with the following message when your account is frozen.

The only way to unfreeze your CGI account is to wait 72 hours. Contacting customer service or changing password will not unfreeze your account. The wisest option is to prevent an account freeze. 

As per my experience, activities such as concurrent logins, too many actions in a given session or too many logins in a day can all constitute suspicious activities.

Is your CGI account frozen for 72 hours? What activities do you think triggered it? And, how long did you have to wait? Let me know in the comments below.

WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.

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LEGAL DISCLAIMER We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please refer to our full disclosure for further information.

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US travel docs website issues

Trying to sign up for interview waiver. I fill all the information in the website which I qualify. The website gets stuck/ becomes unresponsive once I have answered all the questions and does not proceed.

The window just says ‘loading…’ and shows a blue box with the words ‘drop off’

Did you try contacting VFS support?

https://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/en/contact-us

I am having a similar issue as mentioned by OP. My mother B1/B2 expired less than 48 months ago, and she qualifies for interview waiver. I answered all the questions and it said "Congrats, You qualify for Interview Waiver. However, it does not proceed further. I did not get to the payment screen too. The window just says ‘loading…’ and shows a blue box with the words ‘drop off’.

I tried Chrome, Edge and Firefox browsers.

I called customer service and they asked me to open a case under the profile. I opened a case on Sep 6 and got a generic reply to clear cache and update Java software (browser). Their message also said they will fix their problem soon.

I did cleared the browser cache. I am not sure whether any browser still uses Java. I am not sure how to proceed further. Any comments?

Did you try from a different PC?

I tried Chrome, Edge and Firefox browsers. I also asked my cousin to try on her PC and she found similar error. It is frustrating since I am not able to do anything since Sep 6 and there is no support from the USvisascheduling website folks.

BTW: I used their new website for visa scheduling. https://www.usvisascheduling.com/

Did your problem get resolved? How? Please share the information.

Hi How do I contact the customer care for technical issue. Every time it says line busy. Has anyone been able to talk to some representative? I am also stuck at profile creation for my parents visa. And I am not able to contact customer service number it is always busy and they are not responding to emails.

What should I do?.Please help

I am applying for a B1 visa from India. Since support-India email ID or call is not responding after 3 business days I am seeking answers here for my following query: I had a B1 visa expired last year and hence qualified for drop-off option/ interview waiver while visa application. As drop off option will also take around 1 month for final visa receival, I have selected’ interview’ option thinking that I can make an emergency request ( as I planned my travel on 7th Oct.). While making emergency request, the application got submitted automatically without attachment. I tried second time after receiving ‘denied’ email for my first request. Second time also, the application submitted automatically and I received a ‘denied’ reply. Now the option for emergency request is no longer available. Now I have requested US hosting institute for reschedule my visit into Nov at least which they agreed. Now, I am trying whether drop of option is possible in my existing visa application under the same visa receipt? Only option I could see in my portal under ‘Manage appointment’ is ‘cancel appointment’. If I cancel my current interview appointment whether I need to pay the visa fee again? If I need to pay visa fee again, I can pay. But is there any guarantee that drop off option will be visible in my application portal, and, if visible, can I complete the application without any technical error (as I experienced technical error like automatic submission of request without completion of the request) ?

I was unable to reach the technical team in India through the contact 02262011000 since the calls were getting unanswered after transferring to the personals.

You should be able to cancel and reschedule using same fee reciept.

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Home » How to Fix » USTravelDocs Login Not Working: Here Is How To Fix

USTravelDocs Login Not Working: Here Is How To Fix

The “USTravelDocs login is not working” issue at a glance: Platform : USTravelDocs. Problem : Login problem. Impact : Users are unable to access their USTravelDocs accounts. Reason : Incorrect login information, system issues, authentication failure, server issue, or an unknown issue on USTravelDocs’ end.

Do you want to apply for a US visa and passport? USTravelDocs can be your choice. For your vacation, business trip, or immigration to the United States, it is essential to complete your application process – USTravelDocs helps.

However, one common problem that many people may need help with is the login issue. If you also can’t log in to your USTravelDocs account, this guide will help you.

In this guide, we’ll explain the troubleshooting steps that will let you resolve the issue and sign in to your account.

How to Troubleshoot If USTravelDocs Login is Not Working?

If you are unable to log in to your USTravelDocs account it could be due to any of the following – incorrect login information, system issues, authentication failure, server issues, or an unknown issue on USTravelDocs’ end.

The problem is very common and can be solved by applying some very simple troubleshooting steps, which are –

Check Your Internet

Due to weak/unstable internet, the authentication process may get delayed and the login session may expire resulting in you failing to log in to your account.

So, check your internet and make sure it is fast and strong enough.

Consider restarting your Internet device, reconnecting your device to the Internet, and trying to sign in to your account again.

Check Your Login Info

If you are unable to login to your USTravelDocs account you should check your login information. Information may be incorrect or mistyped.

Create a New Account And Retry

The login issue may be caused by a problem with your existing USTravelDocs account, creating a new account and trying again may resolve this issue.

Open a new portal by visiting usvisascheduling.com/en and create a new user account (make sure you use the email address that is associated with your existing USTravelDocs account.)

Note: A new username and security answers may needed.

Contact USTravelDocs Support

If the issue persists and you can’t sign in to your account, the issue may be related to your account or an issue on USTravelDocs’ end. Contact USTravelDocs Support to report a problem and receive assistance. You can contact the support team by visiting their official site.

Final Words

USTravelDocs login issues may arise when your account authentication fails, which may be caused by weak/unstable internet or incorrect or mistyped login information. However, troubleshooting this problem is simple – restart your Internet device and check your login credentials to make sure there are no typos. If this doesn’t help, create a new account with the email associated with your old account.

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What we know about unauthorized immigrants living in the U.S.

The unauthorized immigrant population in the United States reached 10.5 million in 2021, according to new Pew Research Center estimates. That was a modest increase over 2019 but nearly identical to 2017.

The number of unauthorized immigrants living in the U.S. in 2021 remained below its peak of 12.2 million in 2007. It was about the same size as in 2004 and lower than every year from 2005 to 2015.

The new estimates do not reflect changes that have occurred since apprehensions and expulsions of migrants along the U.S.-Mexico border started increasing in March 2021 . Migrant encounters at the border have since reached historic highs .

Pew Research Center undertook this research to understand ongoing changes in the size and characteristics of the unauthorized immigrant population in the United States. The Center has published estimates of the U.S. unauthorized immigrant population for more than two decades. The estimates presented in this research are the Center’s latest, adding new and updated annual estimates for 2017 through 2021.

Center estimates of the unauthorized immigrant population use a “residual method.” It is similar to methods used by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Immigration Statistics and nongovernmental organizations, including the Center for Migration Studies and the Migration Policy Institute . Those organizations’ estimates are generally consistent with ours. Our estimates also align with official U.S. data sources, including birth records, school enrollment figures and tax data, as well as Mexican censuses and surveys.

Our “residual” method for estimating the nation’s unauthorized immigrant population includes these steps:

• Estimate the total number of immigrants living in the country in a particular year using data from U.S. censuses and government surveys such as the American Community Survey and the Current Population Survey.
• Estimate the number of immigrants living in the U.S. legally using official counts of immigrant and refugee admissions together with other demographic data (for example, death and out-migration rates).
• Subtract our estimate of lawful immigrants from our estimate of the total immigrant population . This provides an initial estimate of the unauthorized immigrant population .

Our final estimate of the U.S. unauthorized immigrant population, as well as estimates for lawful immigrants, includes an upward adjustment. We do this because censuses and surveys tend to miss some people . Undercounts for immigrants, especially unauthorized immigrants, tend to be higher than for other groups. (Our 1990 estimate comes from work by Robert Warren and John Robert Warren; details can be found here .)

The term “unauthorized immigrant” reflects standard and customary usage by many academic researchers and policy analysts. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Immigration Statistics also generally uses it. The term means the same thing as undocumented immigrants, illegal immigrants and illegal aliens.

For more details on how we produced our estimates, read the Methodology section of our November 2018 report on unauthorized immigrants.

The unauthorized immigrant population includes any immigrants not in the following groups:

• Immigrants admitted for lawful residence (i.e., green card admissions)
• People admitted formally as refugees
• People granted asylum
• Former unauthorized immigrants granted legal residence under the 1985 Immigration Reform and Control Act
• Immigrants admitted under any of categories 1-4 who have become naturalized U.S. citizens
• Individuals admitted as lawful temporary residents under specific visa categories

Read the Methodology section of our November 2018 report on unauthorized immigrants for more details.

Pew Research Center’s estimate of unauthorized immigrants includes more than 2 million immigrants who have temporary permission to be in the United States. (Some also have permission to work in the country.) These immigrants account for about 20% of our national estimate of 10.5 million unauthorized immigrants for 2021.

Although these immigrants have permission to be in the country, they could be subject to deportation if government policy changes. Other organizations and the federal government also include these immigrants in their estimates of the U.S. unauthorized immigrant population.

Immigrants can receive temporary permission to be in the U.S. through the following ways:

Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

In 2021, there were about 500,000 unauthorized immigrants with Temporary Protected Status . This status provides protection from removal or deportation to individuals who cannot safely return to their country because of civil unrest, violence or natural disaster.

Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) is a similar program that grants protection from removal. The number of immigrants with DED is much smaller than the number with TPS.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals is a program that offers protection from deportation to individuals who were brought to the U.S. as children before June 15, 2007. As of the end of 2021, there were slightly more than 600,000 DACA beneficiaries , largely immigrants from Mexico.

Asylum applicants

Individuals who have applied for asylum but are awaiting a ruling are not legal residents yet but cannot be deported. There are two types of asylum claims, defensive and affirmative .

Defensive asylum applications are generally filed by individuals facing deportation or removal from the U.S. These are processed by the Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review. At the end of 2021, there were almost 600,000 applications pending.

Affirmative asylum claims are made by individuals already in the U.S. who are not in the process of being deported or removed. These claims are handled by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). At the end of 2021, more than 400,000 applications for affirmative asylum were pending, some covering more than one applicant.

Here are key findings about how the U.S. unauthorized immigrant population changed from 2017 to 2021:

• The most common country of birth for unauthorized immigrants is Mexico. However, the population of unauthorized immigrants from Mexico dropped by 900,000 from 2017 to 2021 , to 4.1 million.
• There were increases in unauthorized immigrants from nearly every other region of the world – Central America, the Caribbean, South America, Asia, Europe and sub-Saharan Africa.
• Among U.S. states, only Florida and Washington saw increases to their unauthorized immigrant populations , while California and Nevada saw decreases. In all other states, unauthorized immigrant populations were unchanged.
• 4.6% of U.S. workers in 2021 were unauthorized immigrants , virtually identical to the share in 2017.

Trends in the U.S. immigrant population

The U.S. foreign-born population was 14.1% of the nation’s population in 2021. That was very slightly higher than in the last five years but below the record high of 14.8% in 1890.

As of 2021, the nation’s 10.5 million unauthorized immigrants represented about 3% of the total U.S. population and 22% of the foreign-born population. These shares were among the lowest since the 1990s.

Between 2007 and 2021, the unauthorized immigrant population decreased by 1.75 million, or 14%.

Meanwhile, the lawful immigrant population grew by more than 8 million, a 29% increase, and the number of naturalized U.S. citizens grew by 49%. In 2021, naturalized citizens accounted for about half (49%) of all immigrants in the country.

Where unauthorized immigrants come from

Unauthorized immigrants living in the U.S. come from many parts of the world, with Mexico being the most common origin country.

The origin countries for unauthorized immigrants have changed since the population peaked in 2007, before the Great Recession slowed immigration. Here are some highlights of those changes:

The number of unauthorized immigrants from Mexico living in the U.S. (4.1 million in 2021) was the lowest since the 1990s. Mexico accounted for 39% of the nation’s unauthorized immigrants in 2021, by far the smallest share on record .

The decrease in unauthorized immigrants from Mexico reflects several factors:

• A broader decline in migration from Mexico to the U.S.
• Mexican immigrants to the U.S. continuing to return to Mexico
• Expanded opportunities for lawful immigration from Mexico and other countries, especially for temporary agricultural workers.

The rest of the world

The total number of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. from countries other than Mexico has grown rapidly. In 2021, this population was 6.4 million, up by 900,000 from 2017.

Almost every region in the world had a notable increase in the number of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. from 2007 to 2021. The largest increases were from Central America (240,000) and South and East Asia (180,000).

After Mexico, the countries of origin with the largest unauthorized immigrant populations in the U.S. in 2021 were:

• El Salvador (800,000)
• India (725,000)
• Guatemala (700,000)
• Honduras (525,000)

India, Guatemala and Honduras all saw increases from 2017.

The Northern Triangle

Three Central American countries – El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala – together represented 2.0 million unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. in 2021, or almost 20% of the total. The unauthorized immigrant population from the Northern Triangle grew by about 250,000 from 2017 and about 700,000 from 2007.

Other origin countries

Venezuela was the country of birth for 190,000 U.S. unauthorized immigrants in 2021. This population saw particularly fast growth, from 130,000 in 2017 and 55,000 in 2007.

Among countries with the largest numbers of U.S. unauthorized immigrants, India, Brazil, Canada and former Soviet Union countries all experienced growth from 2017 to 2021.

Some origin countries with significant unauthorized immigrant populations showed no change, notably China (375,000) and the Dominican Republic (230,000).

Detailed table: Unauthorized immigrant population by region and selected country of birth (and margins of error), 1990-2021 (Excel)

U.S. states of residence of unauthorized immigrants

The unauthorized immigrant population in most U.S. states stayed steady from 2017 to 2021. However, four states saw significant changes:

• Florida (+80,000)
• Washington (+60,000)
• California (-150,000)
• Nevada (-25,000)

States with the most unauthorized immigrants

The six states with the largest unauthorized immigrant populations in 2021 were:

• California (1.9 million)
• Texas (1.6 million)
• Florida (900,000)
• New York (600,000)
• New Jersey (450,000)
• Illinois (400,000)

These states have consistently had the most unauthorized immigrants since 1990 and earlier .

At the same time, the unauthorized immigrant population has become less geographically concentrated. In 2021, these six states were home to 56% of the nation’s unauthorized immigrants, down from 80% in 1990.

Detailed table: Unauthorized immigrant population for states (and margins of error), 1990-2021 (Excel)

Detailed table: Unauthorized immigrants and characteristics for states, 2021 (Excel)

Unauthorized immigrants in the labor force

The share of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. workforce was slightly less than 5% in 2021, compared with 3% of the total U.S. population.

Demographics help explain the difference: The unauthorized immigrant population includes relatively few children or elderly adults, groups that tend not to be in the labor force.

Overall, about 7.8 million unauthorized immigrants were in the U.S. labor force in 2021. That was up slightly from 2019 but smaller than every year from 2007 through 2015.

Detailed table: Unauthorized immigrants in the labor force for states, 2021 (Excel)

Here are some additional findings about unauthorized immigrants as a share of the workforce nationwide and in certain states:

• Since 2003, unauthorized immigrants have made up 4.4% to 5.4% of all U.S. workers, a relatively narrow range.
• Fewer than 1% of workers in Maine, Montana, Vermont and West Virginia in 2021 were unauthorized immigrants.
• Nevada (9%) and Texas (8%) had the highest shares of unauthorized immigrants in the workforce.
• Immigrant Populations
• Immigration Issues
• Unauthorized Immigration

Key facts about Asian Americans living in poverty

Latinos’ views on the migrant situation at the u.s.-mexico border, key facts about the nation’s 47.9 million black americans, key facts about the wealth of immigrant households during the covid-19 pandemic, 8 facts about recent latino immigrants to the u.s., most popular.

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The U.S. issues new travel guidelines, warning that Iran will avenge the killings of senior commanders.

The State Department has barred its employees from traveling to large parts of Israel. Iran has repeatedly vowed to strike back over the deadly bombing this month of an Iranian Embassy complex in Syria.

• Share full article

By Liam Stack and Eric Schmitt

• April 12, 2024

Several countries including the United States have issued new travel guidelines for Israel and the surrounding region, as the Israeli military said its forces were “highly alert” for a possible Iranian strike in retaliation for the killings of several commanders.

Iran has repeatedly vowed to strike back at Israel over the bombing of an Iranian Embassy complex in Damascus, Syria, this month that killed three generals and four other military officers. An American official said on Friday that Washington expects an attack by Iran against Israel that would be bigger than recent attacks in the long shadow war between the two countries, but not so big that it would draw the United States into war. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

The U.S. State Department on Thursday barred its employees from traveling to large parts of Israel, the first time the U.S. government had restricted the movement of its employees in this way since the war in Gaza began more than six months ago.

On Thursday, Britain told its citizens that they “should consider leaving” Israel and the Palestinian territories “if it is safe to do so.” On Friday, India told its citizens “not to travel to Iran or Israel till further notice,” while France advised people not to travel to Israel, Iran or Lebanon and evacuated the families of French diplomats from Iran.

Asked about the U.S. travel warning , Matthew Miller, the State Department spokesman, said at a news briefing Thursday: “We have seen Iran making public threats against Israel in the past few days.” He declined to provide details about any specific information that prompted the warning.

The new guidelines bar U.S. government employees and their families from traveling to locations outside the Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Beersheba metropolitan areas “out of an abundance of caution” until further notice. The State Department said U.S. personnel could move among those areas for personal travel.

The top American military commander for the Middle East, Gen. Michael E. Kurilla, traveled to Israel to coordinate a response to possible Iranian retaliation, U.S. officials said.

“Our enemies think that they will divide Israel and the United States,” the Israeli defense minister, Yoav Gallant, said in a statement on Friday after meeting with General Kurilla. “They are connecting us and are strengthening the relationship between us.”

If Iran attacks, he added, “we will know how to respond.”

On Thursday, the Israeli military’s chief spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said that the armed forces were “highly alert and prepared” for any action Iran might take, even as the timing and scale of any response remained unclear. Analysts say that Tehran, which has long used a network of proxy forces to project power across the Middle East, wants to avoid igniting a full-fledged war that could drag in the United States and threaten the survival of Iran’s regime.

“For years, and even more so during the war, Iran has been financing, directing and arming its proxies — in Lebanon, Gaza, Syria, Iraq and Yemen — to attack the state of Israel,” he said. “An attack from Iranian territory would be clear evidence of Iran’s intentions to escalate the Middle East and stop hiding behind the proxies.”

Liam Stack is a Times reporter covering the Israel-Hamas war from Jerusalem. More about Liam Stack

Eric Schmitt is a national security correspondent for The Times, focusing on U.S. military affairs and counterterrorism issues overseas, topics he has reported on for more than three decades. More about Eric Schmitt

Middle East latest: Rockets fired towards US military base in Syria as Iraqi armed factions 'resume attacks' on US forces

At least five rockets have been launched from the Iraqi town of Zummar towards a US military base in northeastern Syria, security sources tell Reuters. The attack against American forces is the first since February, when Iranian-backed groups in Iraq stopped targeting US troops.

Monday 22 April 2024 06:39, UK

• Israel-Hamas war

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• Rockets 'fired from Iraq towards US military base in Syria'
• Iran 'displayed power' in attack on Israel, Supreme Leader insists - despite failure
• Baby delivered in emergency C-section after mother killed in Rafah strike
• Netanyahu: Israel will increase pressure on Hamas 'in coming days' 
• Sean Bell: New details hint at impact of Israeli strike on Iran
• At least 14 Palestinians killed in West Bank raid, authorities say
• Analysis: Iran isn't biggest threat to the coalition right now

Sir Mark Rowley will meet the home secretary and policing minister this week to discuss antisemitism, Sky News understands.

It comes after an antisemitism campaigner was threatened with arrest yards away from a pro-Palestine protest where officers described him as "openly Jewish" and said his presence was "antagonising demonstrators".

The force apologised but then had to apologise for their apology after suggesting opponents of pro-Palestinian marches "must know that their presence is provocative".

The Met Police chief will also meet London mayor Sadiq Khan to discuss "community relations" and he is expected to speak to organisations including the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the London Jewish Forum and the Community Safety Trust.

Gideon Falter, the campaigner who was threatened with arrest, said Jewish Londoners could not have confidence in the police under Sir Mark's leadership, accusing the commissioner of "victim blaming".

In video from the incident, an officer appeared to prevent Mr Falter from crossing the road at the London protest, telling him: "You are quite openly Jewish, this is a pro-Palestinian march. I'm not accusing you of anything but I am worried about the reaction to your presence."

Mr Falter, chief executive of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, was wearing a yarmulke and said he was simply walking past after attending synagogue.

He said he was threatened with arrest if he did not leave the area.

You can read more on this story below.

We're getting more now on the attempted attack on a US military base in northeastern Syria. 

As we reported earlier, sources have told Reuters news agency that at least five rockets were launched from Iraq's town of Zummar towards the base. 

A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, referred to it as a "failed rocket attack".

It was not immediately clear if the rockets had failed to hit the base or been destroyed before they reached, or if the base was the target. 

Two security sources and a senior army officer in Iraq said a small truck with a rocket launcher fixed on the back had been parked in Zummar, which is on the border with Syria. 

The destroyed truck was seized for investigation and an initial investigation showed it was destroyed by an air strike. 

"We are communicating with the coalition forces in Iraq to share information on this attack," the officer added.

The Iraqi Security Media Cell, an official body responsible for disseminating security information, said Iraqi forces had launched "a wide-ranging search and inspection operation" targeting the attackers near the Syrian border, pledging to bring them to justice.

The last week was spent anticipating an Israeli response to Iran's unprecedented missile and drone attack on Israel on 13 April.

And then it came on Friday when an airbase near the Iranian city of Isfahan - known for its role in Iran's nuclear research - was hit.

Israel hasn't commented on the strike but the US told a G7 meeting that Israel had told it about the attack "at the last minute".

The strike appears to have been limited and symbolic in nature to send a warning rather than ignite a bigger confrontation, according to our  international correspondent Alex Rossi .

Israeli drones used in attack 'more like toys' - Iran

Iran dismissed the danger of the drones used by Israel. 

The country's foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian claimed they took off from within Iran and only flew a few hundred metres before being shot down.

"It has not been proved to us that there is a connection between these and Israel," Mr Amir-Abdollahian told Sky's US partner NBC News.

The foreign minister said they were "more like toys that our children play with" than a serious threat, as he sought to play down the Israeli action.

Iran also referred to it as an "infiltration" rather than a serious "external attack" .

However, our military analyst Professor Michael Clarke said it appeared likely ballistic missiles were used in the attack - and that both sides were trying to "save face". 

Allies had called for restraint

Prior to the strike on Iran, Western allies had raised concerns that, if miscalculated, an Israeli retaliation could lead to a wider war in the Middle East.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told the Commons on Monday he would be speaking to Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu  - but around 24 hours later, the pair still hadn't spoken and reports were appearing in Israeli media that Mr Netanyahu was avoiding calls from allies. 

A few hours later, it emerged the pair had spoken on Tuesday and Mr Sunak had told the Israeli leader that "calm heads should prevail". 

The following day, the British foreign secretary headed to Israel for further talks with Mr Netanyahu.

Lord Cameron said after the meeting that it was clear Israel would respond but that he hoped the retaliation "does as little to escalate this as possible".

Israel's main ally, the US, also stressed the need to avoid escalation in the Middle East and Joe Biden made clear the US would not be involved in any retaliation against Iran. 

Incursion into Rafah 'not far away' after deadly strikes

While the latest flare-up in the wider Middle East appears to have died down for now, Israel is still locked in conflict closer to home, our international correspondent Alex Rossi says .

The indication is that Israel's long-anticipated incursion into the southern city of Rafah may not be far away and US officials met their Israeli counterparts last week to discuss the imminent incursion.

The White House has consistently warned the Israelis against a wholesale ground offensive on the city.

Yesterday, we reported here how children had been killed in airstrikes on the area, according to Palestinian health officials.

At least 22 people were killed, including 18 children, health officials said.

Israel has carried out near-daily air raids on Rafah, where more than half of Gaza's population of 2.3 million people have sought refuge from fighting elsewhere.

An airstrike in Rafah the night before killed nine people, including six children.

Israeli raid in West Bank at weekend

Israeli forces killed 14 Palestinians during an extended raid in the West Bank over the weekend, according to Palestinian authorities, marking one of the heaviest casualty totals in the region for months.

The raid on the Nur Shams area, near the flashpoint city of Tulkarm, began early on Friday and continued on Saturday.

Deadly settler attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank increased sharply over the last week, following the killing of 14-year-old Israeli shepherd Binyamin Ahimeir. 

After the boy's body was found, Israeli authorities warned against revenge attacks.

But despite this, Israeli human rights group Yesh Din said attacks of an "unprecedented scale" followed, targeting Palestinians in the West Bank. 

Among those killed were 30-year-old Abdul Rahman Bani Fadel and 21-year-old Mohammad Bani Jamea, who were shot dead during an attack by dozens of settlers near the town of Aqraba. 

The IDF also said its forces had killed a 17-year-old during a raid in Nablus. 

US Congress approves aid package for Israel

The US House of Representatives approved a $26bn package aiding Israel and providing humanitarian relief to people in Gaza. 

The package will now go to the US Senate, where it is likely to be passed on Tuesday. 

US politicians also approved vital extra funds for Ukraine.

Hezbollah commander killed

Away from the situation with Iran, Israel is still facing problems on its northern border with Lebanon. 

But it claimed a victory last Tuesday with the killing of the commander of Hezbollah's coastal sector, Ismail Yusaf Baz. 

The IDF said it had "eliminated" the commander in a strike in the Ain Ebel area.

Later in the week Ibrahim Moussawi, a Hezbollah spokesperson, warned Israel that continuing to clash with Iran would have consequences - as would prolonging the war in Gaza.

And he warned the West in an interview with Sky News : "In order to reach an agreement, they have to stop the aggressor. They have to stop Netanyahu and this bunch of idiots who are in the occupied Palestine to stop their genocidal war.

"Then you'll see clearly that the fronts will come down."

Situation in Gaza remains perilous

The situation in Gaza remains perilous, with hundreds of thousands of people still displaced, Israeli airstrikes continuing to kill Palestinians, and Israel facing accusations it is still not doing enough to get aid through. 

The UN human rights office said Israel is still imposing "unlawful" restrictions on humanitarian aid for Gaza and that it remains far below bare minimum levels. 

The Israel-Hamas war has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.

Listen to the Sky News Daily podcast

On this edition of the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by military analyst Sean Bell to find out what exactly happened in Israel's attack on Iran, and what it says about their respective military strengths.  

Plus, Niall is joined by Sky's international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn to analyse where this leaves tensions in the Middle East.   

Iraq's Kataib Hezbollah has said Iraqi armed groups have decided to resume attacks on US forces in the country.

They blamed the lack of progress in talks aimed at arranging the exit of American troops.

"What happened a short while ago is the beginning," the group said.

They were apparently referring to an earlier incident where at least five rockets were launched from the Iraqi town of Zummar towards a US military base in Syria.

A coalition fighter destroyed the launcher in self defence after reports of a failed rocket attack near the base, a US official said.

It's not clear whether the rockets failed to hit the base or if they had been destroyed before they could reach it.

No US personnel were injured.

Before the Hamas attack inside Israel on 7 October, the Lebanon border area was judged to have enjoyed a relative period of calm and stability.

But that all changed with the events across the border.

Since then Hezbollah fighters and Israeli troops have been exchanging more and more serious fire, violating the terms of an earlier agreement contained in the UN Resolution 1701.

Here, our special correspondent Alex Crawford reports from the "Blue Line" in southern Lebanon...

At least five rockets have been fired from Iraq's town of Zummar towards a US military base in northeastern Syria, two Iraqi security sources have told Reuters.

The security sources and a senior army officer said a rocket launcher fixed on the back of a small truck had been parked in Zummar border town with Syria.

The military official said the truck caught fire with an explosion from unfired rockets at the same time as warplanes were in the sky.

The attack against US forces is the first since early February when Iranian-backed groups in Iraq stopped their attacks against US troops.

It comes a day after Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al Sudani returned from a visit to the US and met with President Joe Biden at the White House.

Hezbollah has claimed it downed an Israeli drone that was on a combat mission in southern Lebanon.

The drone that was brought down above the Al Aishiyeh area in southern Lebanon was "waging its attacks on our steadfast people," a statement by the group said, according to Reuters.

Hezbollah is an Iranian proxy operating from Lebanon and it frequently trades rocket and drone attacks with Israel across the Lebanese-Israeli border. 

Earlier today, Iran's supreme leader dismissed any discussion of whether Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile attack on Israel hit anything there.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's comments to senior military leaders did not not touch on the apparent Israeli retaliatory strike on the central city of Isfahan on Friday, even though air defences opened fire and Iran grounded commercial flights across much of the country.

The 85-year-old made the comments in a meeting attended by the top ranks of Iran's regular military, police and paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, a powerful force within its Shiite theocracy.

We have been reporting this weekend on the Israeli raid at Nur Shams, in the occupied West Bank.

The raid began in the early hours of Friday and troops were still exchanging fire with armed fighters into Saturday.

Here are some of the images that have emerged from the region...

By Alex Crawford , special correspondent

The UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon has told Sky News the dangers in the region have not gone away and called for calm, wisdom and de-escalation as a matter of urgency.

Joanna Wronecka spoke from her office in Beirut about her worries and appealed for restraint from all those involved.

"I'm very concerned," she said. "Because we need just a small miscalculation and the situation can escalate even more."

She was referring to the spike in cross-border firing between the Israeli military and the Lebanese Hezbollah fighters who've been trading attacks with growing intensity since 7 October.

You can read Crawford's full piece here...

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