Europe’s unauthorized immigrant population peaks in 2016, then levels off

At least 3.9 million unauthorized immigrants – and possibly as many as 4.8 million – lived in Europe in 2017, according to new estimates. The total is up from 2014, when 3.0 million to 3.7 million unauthorized migrants lived in Europe, but is little changed from a recent peak in 2016.

• 5 facts about unauthorized immigration in Europe
• Q&A and video: How we estimated the number of unauthorized immigrants in Europe
• Country fact sheets: UK | Germany | France | Italy
• Translated summaries: Español | Deutsch | Français | Italiano

How European and U.S. unauthorized immigrant populations compare

The number of unauthorized immigrants living in Europe in 2017 was less than half the number in the United States. Unauthorized immigrants in Europe came from more diverse origin regions than those in the U.S., and while Europe’s unauthorized population has grown in recent years, America’s has declined.

Americans and privacy: Concerned, confused, feeling a lack of control over their personal information

Roughly six-in-ten Americans say they don’t think it’s possible to go through daily life without companies or the government collecting data about them. Majorities also report concern about the way these entities use their data, and say the potential risks they face because of data collection outweigh the benefits.

• Key takeaways on Americans’ views about privacy, surveillance and data-sharing

Americans have positive views about religion’s role in society, but want it out of politics

A large majority of Americans feel religion is losing influence in public life. Many view this negatively, reflecting the broad tendency of Americans to see religion as a positive force in society. Still, U.S. adults are resoundingly clear in their belief that religious institutions should stay out of politics.

• Republicans and Democrats agree religion’s influence is waning, but differ in their reactions
• Related: In U.S., decline of Christianity continues at rapid pace

Americans’ immigration policy priorities: Divisions between – and within – the two parties

When it comes to immigration policy goals, Republicans are much more likely than Democrats to emphasize the importance of increasing border security and increasing deportations. Democrats are more likely than Republicans to prioritize providing a pathway to legal status for unauthorized immigrants and taking in refugees.

• What’s happening at the U.S.-Mexico border in 5 charts
• Key facts about refugees to the U.S.
• Have you taken our email mini-course on immigration? Sign up here

Who is Hispanic?

Who is considered Hispanic in the U.S.? And how are they counted in public opinion surveys, voter exit polls and government surveys? The most common approach to answering these questions is straightforward: Anyone who says they are, and nobody who says they aren’t.

• Key facts about U.S. Hispanics and their diverse heritage

Two-thirds of Americans support marijuana legalization

Two-thirds of Americans now support marijuana legalization. And when examining specific uses of the drug, an overwhelming majority (91%) say it should be legal either for medical and recreational use or that it should be legal only for medical use. Just 8% of Americans prefer to keep marijuana illegal in all circumstances.