US Customs and Border Protection recently released data showing the number of those arrested trying to cross the US-Mexico border is down sharply. The Department of Homeland Security said the Border Patrol captured 327,577 illegal immigrants along the U.S.-Mexico border in fiscal year 2011. This is down 24 percent from the previous year and the lowest level in 39 years, according to U.S.
Customs and Border Protection. A drop in Mexico's birth rate, more opportunities in Mexico, a weakened U.S.
Arrests of illegal migrants trying to cross the southern U.S. border have fallen to levels not seen since the early 1970s, a historic shift that could reshape the debate over immigration reform.
According to the Pew Hispanic Center, 11.2 million “unauthorized” immigrants live in the United States, equal to 3.7% of the nation’s population.
The number of illegal migrants arrested at the border has been dropping over the past few years but appears to be down by more than 25 percent this year.
In fiscal year 2006 there were 1,071,972 arrests of undocumented immigrants in the multi-state border area, according to Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The number of undocumented immigrants arrested had fallen to 705,005 in 2008, and last year's figure was 447,731, CBP data shows. Those figures represent a 58% decrease from 2006 to 2010.
Customs and Border Protection. A drop in Mexico's birth rate, more opportunities in Mexico, a weakened U.S.
Arrests of illegal migrants trying to cross the southern U.S. border have fallen to levels not seen since the early 1970s, a historic shift that could reshape the debate over immigration reform.
According to the Pew Hispanic Center, 11.2 million “unauthorized” immigrants live in the United States, equal to 3.7% of the nation’s population.
The number of illegal migrants arrested at the border has been dropping over the past few years but appears to be down by more than 25 percent this year.
In fiscal year 2006 there were 1,071,972 arrests of undocumented immigrants in the multi-state border area, according to Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The number of undocumented immigrants arrested had fallen to 705,005 in 2008, and last year's figure was 447,731, CBP data shows. Those figures represent a 58% decrease from 2006 to 2010.
Coupled with census and labor data from both countries, the historic flood of Mexican migration north appears to have slowed to a trickle. "We have reached the point where the balance between Mexicans moving to the United States and those returning to Mexico is essentially zero," said Jeffrey Passel, a senior demographer at the Pew Hispanic Center.
It is believed that the global economic downturn played a large role in decreasing available jobs. Another component is that violence in Mexico is deterring many who would have to travel thru Mexico to get the US border.
GOP presidential contenders Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney have been sparring over the estimated 11 million people living illegally in the United States. Gingrich says it would be heartless to kick out migrants who have worked and raised families here for years, while Romney blasted Gingrich for supporting “amnesty” for illegal residents but has not given a clear answer on what he would do.
In Congress, comprehensive immigration reform has been sidelined, stuck between those who would not allow illegal migrants to remain and others who are pushing, like President Obama, to create a “pathway” to legal status, but not necessarily citizenship.
The lower number of apprehensions supports the Obama administration's contention that the border is more secure than ever. In the same period that arrests have gone down along the US-Mexico border, the number of agents placed there has doubled. The Obama administration is responsible for a historic number of deportations. Recent figures from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) show that nearly 400,000 individuals were deported between October 2010 and September 2011.
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