Posted on 09/01/2010 10:09:01 AM PDT by freespirited
The number of illegal immigrants entering the United States has plunged by almost two-thirds in the past decade, a dramatic shift after years of growth in the population, according to a new report by the Pew Hispanic Center.
Between 2000 and 2005, an average of 850,000 people a year entered the United States without authorization, according to the report released Wednesday. As the economy plunged into recession between 2007 and 2009, that number fell to 300,000.
The sharp drop-off has contributed to an 8 percent decrease in the estimated number of illegal immigrants living in the United States, from a peak of 12 million in 2007 to 11.1 million in 2009, the report said. Of the 11.1 million, 8.9 million came from Mexico and other parts of Latin America. Virginia, Florida and Nevada were among the states with steepest declines in their populations of illegal immigrants.
The new figures come amid a heated national debate over efforts by Arizona and other jurisdictions to identify people who are here illegally and push to have them deported.
Douglas Massey, a Princeton University sociologist who studies migration, said the recession and lack of jobs are major factors in the decline of those entering the country illegally.
The unemployment rate for unauthorized immigrants is 10.4 percent higher than that of either U.S.-born residents or legal immigrants, the Pew report said.
Massey said other likely reasons for the decline include an increase in law enforcement and deportations, and enactment of stricter legislation against illegal immigrants. He also pointed to more guest-worker spots, from 104,000 in 2000 to 302,000 in 2009 -- allowing more immigrants to come to the United States legally.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
It is estimated that over 40% of Mexico’s workforce is now within US borders. You’ve got to expect a dropoff of immigration simply because so many people are gone from the home country.
What an enormous lie.
Here in LA, they are still ringing the dinner bell for more illegal aliens to come here.
You cannot drive into a Home Depot without be swarmed and overwhelmed by illegal aliens.
I wonder by what corresponding percentage deportation of same said illegals is up? /sarc
Tell that to the ones that landed on the beach here in San Diego today. Happens almost every week and they wouldn’t keep coming if 90% of them weren’t getting past the border.
Good news.
They would never think of publishing cooked numbers that minimize the continuing invasion to lull the vast majority of American now aroused to oppose it.
BS!!!!
Should read “Illegal immigration” 100% too high!”
re: “entered the United States without authorization”
At least 40% of illegals enter legally on a tourist, student or other temporary authorization with no authorization to work here. Then they work her and don’t leave.
Numbers based solely on who ENTERS illegally is misleading. It’s like saying we only consider home runs in comparing baseball games and only consider touchdown passes in football games.
The game is a lot bigger than just that one little number.
Washington Post wouldn’t report the truth if it hit them in the face...the only way numbers of illegals would go down is if every foreigner in a lower standard of living country who could walk, run, jump or swim was already here...
Numbers are a fun game you can make the look any way you want,see Obama&Co.
Historically, November-December saw more re-enter Mexico and March-April saw more re-enter the USA. The numbers are only meaningful for the NET change over a period of time.
When HR4437 raised its head many omitted the seasonal round-trip for fear they would not be able to get back in. Thus, the total flow of people was reduced and without necessarily reducing their numbers here to the same degree.
But the image of lack of jobs here has discouraged some new entrants. Friends who use the tried-n-true method of renting IDs to cross at a normal checkpoint report that the ID rental business is in a slump with more IDs available to rent than customers. Of course, the mystery neither the ID renters nor I understand is why people are so stupid as to cross the desert in summer when ID rental is so cheap and easy.
See, Obamanomics does work. So there!!! nan nanny boo boo
I do not believe this, and Pew is pro-illegal immigration. There is no way that this could be accurately calculated. This is a big lie by Pew and the Washington post to lay the ground work for an amnesty bill during the lame duck session of Congress after the election.
Flippant comment of the day: substitute the word “lynchings” for “illegal immigrants,” and see how awful the story sounds - even if its statistics are true!
Yup, illegal immigration gets my blood boiling almost as bad as reading about lynchings would. Both represent severe injustice, and damage to America.
Eventually it will hit 0 once everyone has left Mexico.
Misleading data.
Who believes it? Probably just a little propaganda to help smooth the way for the next amnesty for illegals push. In 1986 they estimated 1.5 million illegals would apply for amnesty and twice that many actually applied.
They have no good method, and probably no desire to accurately estimated these numbers.
Ping!
In my area the number of illegal crossers does seem to be down. The big problem is those that are crossing are extremely dangerous. I think those crossing to find work are fewer but the really dangerous smugglers are either larger in number or possibly just bolder. Stories of armed illegals with drugs on their back are getting more common. Areas that have always been hot spots are seeing more lookout scouts for smuggling and increased dangerous activities- fires set for diversion, rocks and shots at Border Patrol, high speed chases, and of course the Krentz murder.
I see fewer illegals, but I have never been more afraid in the nearly 40 years I have lived on the border. Numbers of crossers just doesn’t tell the whole story. We need to secure the border and do it now.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.