WASHINGTON — Illegal immigration, which has sparked political and social turmoil in communities across the nation, is on the wane, according to an independent report released Thursday.
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The report estimates there were 11.9 million illegal immigrants in the U.S. as of March. That would be a decline of 500,000 from the center's estimate a year ago. However, the change was not statistically significant because of the large margins of error.
The Pew study does not address why the decrease occurred, but other researchers cite the nation's struggling economy and stepped up enforcement of immigration laws.
"The decline in job prospects in construction, service and other low-skilled jobs are communicated through extended networks of would-be movers from Mexico and Latin America," said William Frey, a demographer at the Brookings Institution, another Washington think tank. "It also may propel more return migration."
Census data released last month showed that overall immigration slowed dramatically in 2007, though the Census Bureau does not distinguish between legal and illegal immigrants.
Illegal immigrants are notoriously difficult to count. Many researchers, including the federal government, estimate there are about 12 million illegal immigrants in the U.S.
That's a big increase from the start of the decade, when the Pew Hispanic Center estimated there were about 8.5 million.
From 2000 to 2004, about 800,000 illegal immigrants a year entered the U.S., the Pew report estimates. Since then, the average has dropped to about 500,000 a year.
A decade ago, the number of newly arrived illegal immigrants began to outnumber those legally entering the country, said the report, written by the Pew Hispanic Center's senior demographer, Jeffrey Passel, and senior writer, D'Vera Cohn.
"The reverse now appears to be true," the report said.
Illegal immigrants make up about 30 percent of all immigrants, according to the report. About four in five come from Latin America, with most coming from Mexico.
Congress has passed several measures designed to increase border enforcement, and the Bush administration has stepped up raids on businesses. Some local communities have also passed ordinances to address the issue.
Congress, however, has failed to pass a comprehensive package addressing illegal immigration, despite several attempts.
Illegal immigration has not been a big issue in this year's presidential election in part because both of the major parties' nominees, Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama, support comprehensive immigration packages that include increased enforcement and an eventual path to citizenship for many illegal immigrants.
ON THE NET
Pew Hispanic Center: http://pewhispanic.org/
Comments
Disgusted Mexifornian wrote on Oct 13, 2008 10:40 AM:
if not nore, illegals (predominately from Mexico) as there was this time last month, and the month before, and the year before. Lets face it, folks, we've been invaded, occupied and "had." Politicians, the Government and Big Corporations don't want this endless supply of cheap, uneducated labor to decline. "
Karen Lawson wrote on Oct 11, 2008 12:38 PM:
Garrett wrote on Oct 11, 2008 11:52 AM:
Matilda wrote on Oct 11, 2008 10:23 AM:
Whoever thinks they take the jobs Americans won't do is seriously delusional. Many Administrative positions require you to be bilingual, not because the company does business with Mexico, but so you can speak to other employees! THIS IS AMERICA!! My 16 yr old son was turned down for a job at McDonalds because he didn't speak English.
And construction? They often do shoddy work that winds up costing the General Contractor.
PUH-lease! "
steve wrote on Oct 11, 2008 9:08 AM:
Buzzm1 wrote on Oct 10, 2008 8:13 PM:
SOUTHWEST BORDER APPREHENSIONS (Source DHS/CBP)
1987--1,190,488------1995--1,394,554------2003----905,065
1988--1,008,145------1996--1,649,986------2004--1,139,282
1989----954,243------1997--1,412,953------2005--1,189,108
1990--1,169,939------1998--1,555,776------2006--1,071,972
1991--1,197,875------1999--1,537,000------2007----858,638
1992--1,258,482------2000--1,643,679------2008----660,288 (08/31)
1993--1,327,259------2001--1,235,718
1994--1,094,717------2002----929,809
FACT: In the last 22 years, over 26 million illegals, have been apprehended, crossing our Southwest Border.
THE PROBLEM IS: Less than 1, out of 4 illegals, were estimated to have been apprehended, while crossing the border, into our United States.
Mind boggling, isn't it.
According to the U.S. Immigration Service another 6 million illegals in this country are visa overstays. That is, they came here to visit and then they never left. "
Buzzm1 wrote on Oct 10, 2008 8:09 PM:
OUR ACCEPTABLE IMMIGRATION REFORM
#1. Secure Our Borders!!!
#2. Mandate E-Verify for ALL Employees!!!
#3. Mandate E-Verify for ANY Benefit!!!
#4. Stop the Underground Economy!!!
#5. End Birthright Citizenship for Illegals!!!
......and make it retroactive!!!
#6. End Chain Migration!!!
#7. Make English our Official Language!!!
#8. Cut Off Federal Funds to Sanctuary Cities!!
NOTHING MORE!!! NOTHING LESS!!! "
Pamela wrote on Oct 9, 2008 4:04 PM:
Go back where you belong - we don't want you here. You bring your crime, your diseases, and your flithy ways .......... "
Jacquie Evans wrote on Oct 5, 2008 3:07 PM:
Save The United States of America and our Country. "