ORLANDO, Fla. — Officials in Florida have decided to postpone updates to the state’s population estimates due to uncertainties surrounding the effects of immigration policies implemented by President Donald Trump and Governor Ron DeSantis on population growth.

Earlier this month, members of Florida’s Demographic Estimating Conference convened to discuss a new population forecast. However, they ultimately chose not to revise their model, citing “emerging and evolving changes” regarding both federal and state immigration strategies.

The conference members anticipate that these immigration policies at both the federal and state levels will likely introduce “downward pressure” on Florida’s population projections. Currently, Florida ranks as the third most populous state in the U.S., with a population exceeding 23 million residents. Notably, over 20% of the state’s residents were born outside of the United States.

Recently, DeSantis enacted an extensive set of immigration laws designed to align with Trump’s mass deportation efforts. The legislation, signed by the Republican governor, includes provisions for the death penalty for unauthorized immigrants who are convicted of capital offenses, alongside a substantial allocation of nearly $300 million specifically for immigration enforcement initiatives.

In light of these significant changes, the future growth of the state’s population remains uncertain. The decisions made by state officials will be closely monitored as they navigate the implications of these evolving policies on Florida’s demographic landscape.