U.S. city growth stalls as Trump's immigration crackdown reshapes demographics
Population growth in major U.S. cities has slowed sharply, according to new figures. The White House has linked the decline to stricter immigration policies under President Donald Trump, now in his second term. Data shows the average growth rate in metropolitan areas dropped to just 0.6% in the year ending July 1, 2025. The U.S. population still increased by 1.8 million people over the past year. However, the slowdown was most pronounced in areas near the southern border. Laredo, Texas saw its growth rate plummet from 3.2% to 0.2%, while Yuma, Arizona's rate fell from 3.3% to 1.4%. El Centro, California even recorded a decline, shifting from 1.2% growth to a 0.7% decrease.
Nine out of 10 U.S. counties reported lower net international migration between 2024 and 2025 compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, the fastest-growing counties were concentrated in the Southeast, including Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia.
Trump began his second term in January 2025, continuing policies that have tightened immigration controls. The White House directly attributed the population shifts to these measures, though no official census data on natural population changes was available for comparison. The latest figures highlight a clear regional divide in population trends. Border areas have seen the steepest declines, while southeastern states continue to expand. With immigration restrictions remaining in place, the pattern is expected to persist in the near term.
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