Fueled by lax laws, promises of sanctuary, and a growing threat to shut down the U.S.-Mexico border, the illegal immigrant population in the United States has surged nearly 2 million to 14.3 million, according to a new calculation from a key immigration policy group.

Citing several reasons for the growth over the past two years, the Federation for American Immigration Reform said the total could jump to 21 million in just six years without reforms to stop illegal immigration and improve legal entry.

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