Illegal Immigration Levels Drop After 10-Year Rise

New census data supports theory that economic downturn kept many away

Hispanics from Mexico and Latin America immigrated to the United States at lower levels than immigrants from Asia last year, according to new census data released Thursday. That hasn’t happened since 1910. Illegal Hispanic immigrants – 80 percent of all undocumented border crossers or expired visa holders – dropped to an estimated 11.1 million last year from a peak of 12 million in 2007. The decline supports the theory that economic downtown and joblessness in U.S. kept some from coming over. Demographers say immigration levels aren’t likely to approach mid-2000 peaks again because of stronger immigration enforcement. The new census data also presents a problem for Washington Republicans, who passed legislation in the House last week that extends citizenship to a limited number of foreign students with advanced degrees. That's far from the comprehensive measures that immigration reform advocates have pushed for. (Associated Press)

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