Fact Check: "California's immigrant population includes 2.28 million undocumented workers."
What We Know
The claim that California's immigrant population includes 2.28 million undocumented workers is a significant assertion that requires careful examination. According to the UCLA Institute for Research on Labor and Employment, undocumented workers are indeed a crucial part of California's economy, particularly in essential sectors. The report indicates that California has one of the highest shares of undocumented residents in the nation. However, it does not specify the exact number of undocumented workers, which leaves room for ambiguity regarding the 2.28 million figure.
The U.S. Department of Labor provides extensive data on labor certifications and immigrant workers but does not directly confirm the specific number of undocumented workers in California. This data is primarily focused on employment-based immigration statistics rather than undocumented populations.
Recent studies, such as one from the University of California, Merced, highlight the economic impact of undocumented immigrants, noting that a significant portion of small businesses in California are owned by immigrants, including undocumented individuals. However, these studies also do not provide a precise count of undocumented workers.
Analysis
The claim of 2.28 million undocumented workers in California lacks direct corroboration from credible sources. While the UCLA report emphasizes the importance of undocumented workers in the state's economy, it does not provide a specific figure that matches the claim. The U.S. Department of Labor's data is extensive but does not focus on undocumented populations specifically, making it difficult to validate the claim through their statistics.
The Census Bureau's research on noncitizen coverage suggests that undocumented immigrants are often included in broader population statistics, but again, it does not provide a specific count for California. The lack of a definitive source or study that directly supports the 2.28 million figure raises questions about its accuracy.
Moreover, the reliability of the sources varies. The UCLA report is a reputable academic source, while the U.S. Department of Labor provides governmental data that is generally considered reliable but not focused on undocumented statistics. The absence of a clear, authoritative source confirming the claim suggests that further investigation is needed.
Conclusion
Verdict: Needs Research
The claim that California's immigrant population includes 2.28 million undocumented workers is not sufficiently supported by available evidence. While there are credible reports highlighting the role of undocumented workers in California's economy, none provide a definitive count that matches the claim. The lack of precise data from reputable sources necessitates further research to verify the accuracy of this assertion.
