Number of Illegal Immigrants Plummets

Why do illegal immigrants come to the U.S.?

To have babies, obtain social benefits, and live off the American taxpayer, according to one school of thought. In fact, that idea is so prevalent, legislation has been introduced before Congress ending automatic U.S. citizenship for so-called "anchor babies," those born to illegal immigrants on American soil.

But a study recently released by the respected Pew Hispanic Center, a nonpartisan research organization that seeks to improve understanding of the U.S. Hispanic population, suggests differently.

The study shows that the number of illegal immigrants in the U.S. has actually decreased with the country's ailing economy. In fact, that number has fallen by eight percent to 11.1 million in March 2009 from a peak of 12 million in March 2007, according to the estimates.

The decrease represents the first significant reversal in the growth of that population over the past two decades. Is it a coincidence that as the economy ground to a halt, and the number of jobs dwindled, illegal immigrants left the country?

I don't think so.

The lesson: Illegal immigrants come to work. And when jobs aren't available, they'll stay home or go somewhere else.

Read about the study or download the entire document here:

http://pewhispanic.org/reports/report.php?ReportID=126