Columbia News

Senator Eric Schmitt, representing Missouri in the U.S. Senate, has recently posted a series of statements on social media regarding immigration trends and border security measures in the United States.

On August 12, 2025, Schmitt cited new data on the foreign-born population: "America has seen 'an unprecedented 2.2 million decline in the total foreign-born or immigrant population (legal and illegal) between January and July of this year.' The largest six-month decline within a single year in U.S. history. We're taking back our country." In a follow-up post on the same day, he referenced his source for these figures: "Source: @CIS_org https://t.co/ni9lpyaARL https://t.co/Ddpp9JHhGu".

The next day, August 13, 2025, Schmitt commented on recent legislative developments related to border policy: "President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill is a generational investment in border security. It front loads money to increase ICE funding, expand detention centers, and accelerate deportation operations to ensure we maintain the most secure border in American history."

The Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), which Schmitt cites as his source, is known for publishing reports on immigration statistics and policy impacts. Changes in the size of the foreign-born population are influenced by various factors including enforcement actions at the border and changes to federal immigration policies.

In recent years, debates over immigration enforcement have intensified amid broader discussions about national security and economic impacts. Legislative efforts such as those mentioned by Senator Schmitt reflect ongoing political focus on strengthening border controls through increased funding for agencies like ICE and expanded detention capacity.