25% OF INMATES IN FEDERAL PRISONS IN THE US ARE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
> As shown in figure 1, the number of criminal aliens incarcerated in federal prisons increased about 7 percent from about 51,000 in fiscal year 2005 to about 55,000 in fiscal year 2010.
> Further, the criminal alien population as a percentage of the total federal inmate population has remained relatively constant since 2001. In 2005, we reported that the overall percentage of the criminal alien population incarcerated in federal prisons remained consistently around 27 percent of the total inmate population from 2001 though 2004. In fiscal year 2005, the criminal alien population in federal prisons was around 27 percent of the total inmate population, and from fiscal years 2006 through 2010 remained consistently around 25 percent.
> As shown in figure 2, about 68 percent of the approximately 51,000 criminal aliens incarcerated in federal prison at the end of December 2010 were citizens of Mexico.
From the 2011 Government Accountability Office (GOA) report: "CRIMINAL ALIEN STATISTICS: Information on Incarcerations, Arrests, and Costs":
- http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d11187.pdf
- http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-187