Drop in Illegal Immigration Opens Door for Real Reform

Townhall.com ^ | July 15, 2011 | Linda Chavez

[Kaslin]

With unemployment rising and a U.S. debt-crisis looming, Americans haven't had much good news lately. But there is one bright spot on the policy front: Illegal immigration from Mexico has virtually stopped.

Less than a decade ago, a half-million Mexicans were coming to the U.S. illegally every year, accounting for 60 percent of all illegal immigration. But last year, fewer than 100,000 Mexicans crossed the border illegally or overstayed their visas. And it appears that an even greater number of Mexican illegal immigrants left the U.S., resulting in a net reduction in the number of Mexican illegal immigrants living here.

The reasons are complex. Yes, state and local laws intended to make life unpleasant for illegal immigrants may have had some effect. And no doubt greater border enforcement has made it more difficult for people to cross into the U.S. illegally. But the most significant factor is that conditions in Mexico have improved to the point that many Mexicans see a better future for themselves in their homeland.

Most stories about Mexico in the American media focus on the vicious drug wars that have claimed 40,000 Mexican lives in the last five years. But there is another side of the Mexican story that gets far less attention -- the Mexican economy is booming.

In 2010, Mexican gross domestic product grew by more than 5 percent and is on pace to nearly match that rate this year. In the fourth quarter of 2010, manufacturing grew by more than 6 percent and construction by more than 4 percent over the previous year. Unemployment in 2010 was 5.5 percent. We'd be ecstatic if the American economy were growing at a similar pace.

All that growth means more jobs for Mexicans in Mexico. But it also means a higher standard of living for those who choose to stay. Family income has increased by 45 percent since 2000. Just as important, Mexican families are also much smaller than they used to be.

Mexico once had one of the highest birthrates in the world. In 1970, Mexican women gave birth to an average of seven children. The number of children born to Mexican women averages about two now, which means there are -- and will be in the future -- far fewer job-seekers than in the past.

Other social improvements bode well, too. Educational opportunities have greatly expanded in Mexico. A recent New York Times story tells of how one area, the state of Jalisco, which once sent many of its young men north in search of opportunity, now provides a chance for them to succeed at home.

The number of secondary schools in Jalisco doubled in the last decade -- as they have in other Mexican states, as well, including in Chiapas, one of the poorest areas in the country. The number of Mexicans who have at least a bachelor's degree has doubled in the last decade and now is over 800,000.

American immigration has always been driven by a push-pull phenomenon. Bad economic prospects pushed people to leave their native lands, and the lure of plentiful, well-paying jobs here have pulled them to the United States. But the process has reversed. Fewer Mexicans feel pushed from their own country thanks to improved economic conditions there, while the weakened U.S. economy has eliminated the pull of American jobs.

Perhaps this turn of events will prompt politicians to tone down the illegal immigration hysteria and enact a sane, market-based immigration policy. America still needs immigrants -- they are a major reason for our economic vitality. But they should come legally, if we'd let them.

We need to expand the number of legal immigrants to the United States and do it in a way that benefits our economy. We need both highly skilled workers and those with lower skills but a strong work ethic to take jobs where we have labor shortages today.

We have too few engineers, doctors and scientists -- and many of those we're training in our universities are foreign-born with no prospect of being allowed to stay here after they graduate. But we also have too few workers in some lower-skilled occupations. Even with unemployment at 9.2 percent, Americans aren't lining up to take jobs picking lettuce or working in poultry processing plants.

Now that the illegal immigration problem is receding, it's time to get on with legal immigration reform.

[relee]

Build the fence first!

[BobinIL]

Best news I have heard all week.

I guess when you are out of work Americans will start doing those jobs that “Americans won’t do”.

[kabar]

Pure, unadultered BS.

[Vigilanteman]

The alternative to You can't deport everybody is not You can't deport anybody.

[Georgia Girl 2]

Yes we still have too many Mexicans. Build the fence.

[zerosix]

No "real reform" Linda until all of those millions who came last decade and this one, return to Mexico! Only way for them to be here is on a green card with a sponsor, no in-state driver's licenses either, no home loans, no government welfare, no nuthin.'

We've got plenty of laws on the books to solve this sh*t, just that Congress and the President(s) wink and nod at enforcing it.

If it takes eliminating each and every person now serving in office (except those who truly ran on enforcing our laws as they NOW exist), then so be it!

I don't care which party it is, our national sovereignty must be protected and enforced.....by the end of a gun if necessary, and I'm just the woman who will volunteer!

[pogo101]

The issue isn’t the drop in new illegals per se. (That’s due to changeable economic conditions.) The issue is BORDER SECURITY, and we ain’t got it by a long shot.

Linda Chavez is a soaking wet Wall-Street-Journal, COC type on this issue, i.e., any excuse will do to promote amnesty.

[Kaslin]

What about the Hezbollah terrorists, who want to harm us, that come through the Mexican border? I think we really need to be concerned about those.

[blueunicorn6]

Dear Democrats/liberals - MEXICO IS CALLING YOU!!! Warm weather! Lots of drugs! Great coastal views!!! And for you guys in San Francisco, lots of young boys!!! Renounce your American citizenship and move to Mexico today!!!

[Kaslin]

It’s the left that wants amnesty, because it would mean future democrats

[tumblindice]

“it’s time to get on with legal immigration reform.”

She’s right. It’s way past time——to enforce our laws, step up deportations and guard our southwestern border from invasion.

[Vaduz]

Illegal immigration from Mexico has virtually stopped.

p.s. have bridge for sale cheap.

[jpsb]

If this article is true, it is very good news and it means that NAFTA achieved one of it's primary goals, build a Mexican middle class.

I find it very hard to believe numbers on illegal entry into the USA and the numbers of illegals repatriating to Mexico. As I understand it illegals are still putting a huge strain on services here in the USA. If the article were true that strain would be lessoning.

[kabar]

We need to expand the number of legal immigrants to the United States and do it in a way that benefits our economy. We need both highly skilled workers and those with lower skills but a strong work ethic to take jobs where we have labor shortages today.

This is absurd. We need far fewer legal immigrants and none with "lower skills."

The U.S. adds one international migrant (net) every 36 seconds. Immigrants account for one in 8 U.S. residents, the highest level in more than 80 years. In 1970 it was one in 21; in 1980 it was one in 16; and in 1990 it was one in 13. In a decade, it will be one in 7, the highest level in our history. And by 2050, one in 5 residents of the U.S. will be foreign-born.

Currently, 1.6 million legal and illegal immigrants settle in the country each year; 350,000 immigrants leave each year, resulting in net immigration of 1.25 million. Since 1970, the U.S. population has increased from 203 million to 310 million, i.e., over 100 million. In the next 40 years, the population will increase by 130 million. Three-quarters of the increase in our population since 1970 and the projected increase will be the result of immigration. The U.S., the world’s third most populous nation, has the highest annual rate of population growth of any developed country in the world, i.e., 0.977% (2010 estimate), principally due to immigration.

[kabar]

The border is important, but 40% of the 12 to 20 million illegals here came here legally and overstayed their visa. Fixing the border only solves part of the problem.

[Oldexpat]

This is the new template. They leave out illegal immigration from other Latin American and world sources. The problem is far from solved..border security and employment security are still huge unresolved issues, but there is a big PR push by the left to convince people that the problem is solved, but most of us can observe every day that it isn’t.
We still have millions of illegals taking the jobs of citizens who have seen their income and opportunities drop.

[Jeff Chandler]

.

.

Build the fence first!

.

[jagusafr]

I guess when you are out of work Americans will start doing those jobs that “Americans won’t do”.

Nicely played, sir!

[pogo101]

I don’t disagree with you. Secure the border first, then crack down on employers so that it’s harder and harder to find work as an illegal (and, of course, deport criminal aliens first). Only after years of such activity MIGHT we talk about some sort of amnesty for the most “useful,” least blameworthy of illegals. But Linda Chavez wants amnesty yesterday, today or tomorrow, never mind the absence of any of these things to prevent another 20M from flooding in once the economy here improves.