Former Border Patrol commander at large Gregory Bovino told Tucker Carlson that “107 million illegal aliens” currently live in the United States, a figure he described as roughly one quarter of the nation’s population. The number, delivered during a recent interview, is far above estimates from major research organizations.
The on-air claim
According to Headline USA’s account of the interview, Bovino told Carlson: “Right now, in the US, I’ve got the number 107 million illegal aliens currently residing with impunity, one quarter of the total US population.” Pressed by Carlson, Bovino repeated, “A hundred and seven million? Hundred and seven million. One quarter of the population.” He also said, “We’ve got three hundred and thirty thousand, approximately, American citizens, add another 107 million onto that.”
Carlson responded that the country “is a completely different country because it’s got a completely different population,” and suggested Americans face social pressure not to discuss it, per the same report.
How Bovino says he calculated it
Border Hawk reporting, cited by Headline USA, says Bovino has explained that he examined a 2006 financial document from the now-defunct Bear Stearns firm and extrapolated over two decades using his own estimates of illegal crossings based on what he says he observed during his career.
What researchers report
Headline USA notes that demographers and immigration researchers dispute Bovino’s number. Pew Research Center’s most current estimate places the unauthorized immigrant population at roughly 14 million within a total U.S. population near 340 million. The Independent reports that even counting all immigrants—legal and illegal—the Census tally is closer to 50 million, about 15 percent of the population.
Context and prior statements
Raw Story reporting, referenced by Headline USA, says Bovino has cited figures between 100 million and 108 million in multiple interviews since March and called deportation of that population his “one and only priority.”
About Bovino’s tenure
Headline USA reports that Bovino oversaw border operations from October 2025 until his March 2026 resignation following fatal officer-involved shootings during his deployment to Minneapolis.
