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The commonly cited figure of 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. is misleading and likely inaccurate. This number, repeated for over 15 years, originated from the Pew Research Center and has not changed despite significant demographic shifts. The Census Bureau's method of estimating illegal immigrants relies on voluntary responses, which many undocumented individuals do not provide. Recent research from Yale and MIT suggests the actual number could range from 16 million to 29 million, with a mean of about 22 million. This discrepancy raises concerns about the implications of potential amnesty for millions more than previously thought, potentially diluting political power and affecting democracy. Previous studies, including one by Bear Stearns, also indicated that the true number of undocumented immigrants could be significantly higher than official estimates.