Illegal immigrant population in U.S. plummets, according to a new report

The number of illegal immigrants living in the U.S. plummeted to 10.8 million in 2009, from 11.6 million the previous year, marking the sharpest decline in years and coinciding with the economic downturn, according to a new report by the Department of Homeland Security.

Mirroring a nationwide trend, California’s illegal-immigrant population dropped to 2.6 million, from 2.8 million during this same period, according to the report, which is based on census data. The only state to see its number of undocumented residents go up during this time was Georgia, which went from 460,000 to 480,000.

The report cautioned that changes made to the census survey could have affected the results.

Some researchers said that the drop is because fewer illegal immigrants were entering the country.

But others disagree, saying the decline is largely due to undocumented immigrants either voluntarily leaving or being deported.

Most researchers said that the downturn in the economy has played a key role in reducing the illegal immigrant population. But some point out that the drop in the undocumented population started before the recession.

The number of illegal immigrants residing in the U.S. declined to 11.6 million in 2008, from 11.7 million the previous year, according to the Department of Homeland Security. To see the full report, visit http://www.dhs.gov/files/statistics/immigration.shtm.

-- Teresa Watanabe 

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Comments

[Jon K.]

There's no way there's only 10.6 million illegal immigrants in the United States. They're missing huge segments of the population and for the obvious reason: They don't want to be counted.

[LA_Smiley_Brown_Face_in_a_Suit]

"Illegal immigrant population in U.S. plummets, according to a new report"

I wouldn't say "plummets" for a 6.9% decline. Still, 10.8 million illegals too many.

[Ralphie]

Thats good news, but still way too many illegals.

[Maggie Goddard]

So, if we know how many were here, and we now know how many have left, we must have a pretty good idea where all this head count lives. So, that would mean that our Homeland Security (what a joke, should be called illegal alien security) isn't doint' its job to rid our country of these social suckers. Proud to-be Americans that they are, I'm sure they will all be back when the all mighty dollar calls them again to waltz across our border to steal jobs and birth more anchor babies. Don't get used to this drop in illegal population, they are sort of like a rotten ex-husband, they'll be back.

[Rick]

Thank God! Now if we can just bring it down to zero, we'd all be doing better.

[RespectThisCountry]

Hurray!!! Not enough of a decline for my liking, but I'll take it.

[andrew nelson]

10.8 million to go... 2.6 million to go in California...

[Rob L]

OMG, fewer illegals and lettuce costs $10/head now - the scare tactics were right!

[Kelly]

i dont know why anyone would want to be in this country...

[Ricardo Flot]

10.8 million nationwide? Oh please, there's at least, that many in California alone! You'd better try something to the tune of 30+ million NATIONWIDE! There are illegals in every state in the Union. I guess we're now supposed to be impressed now right! This article is a bunch of whooey and it only reflects what the LA Times, a group of SUPPORTERS FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT want us to think! Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, Sacramento, SANCTUARY CITIES FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION!

[Jage]

Huh...this is a report by Homeland Security! All this time I thought they weren't paying attention to the invasion.
But I think the report is wrong. They haven't checked my neighborhood. I suspect there's a tunnel from the Mexican border letting out somewhere near my house :)

[Mary]

Apparently they have not been to Santa Ana or my area lately.

[Steven]

There is no way they have a close count on the number of illegals so there is no way the claim is a valid one. The only thing that is true is that there are millions of them and the government hasn't explained to the public why it does not enforce the immigration laws and why it doesn't secure the border or why they don't take it seriously. They won't even acknowledge the finanical and social costs that were created by illegals and their spawn. The govt is not listening to the public on this issue. Americans made it clear: We don't want illegal aliens here and we want them gone, we want the border secure and we don't want any form of amnesty.

[Joe Carrton]

How does a 7% drop equal a "plummet"?

[Sunshine]

What a bunch of crap. Saying illegals started leaving before the recession hit...the recession has been around a lot longer than 'reports' will state. Why is that? These figures are showing nothing. A drop in the bucket. When millions leave then report on it, otherwise, don't bother. A waste of space article.

[jim]

what i really do not understand is that how can the numbers fluctuate that much, do these people come as they wish, go as they please? is our border that porous? what is the federal government doing?

[colleen]

Somehow I doubt illegal immigrants are eager to fill out census data. Even if it was an accurate report, a drop of 800,000 illegals out of 11 million nationwide does nothing to improve the quality of life in our communities, schools or hospitals. Our infrastructure can't support the people we have now.

[DT]

Thank God.

[paul]

you're kidding , right? do you really think americans believe those false numbers? there are 34 million people living in california of which 14 million are mostly illegals or direct descendents of illegals so your stats are far off. The truth is even ten illegals are too much for this country to support. We have to be deligent about removing them from this country or the U.S.A. is lost forever. Clean out the expensive prisons of them and give us back our neighborhoods so we can live safe and free of gang shootings/ thefts.

[james]

Wow. That's funny because i cant understand what anyone is saying anymore.

[illegals hate amercians]

DISGUSTING!!!! The country is in the biggest hole in decade and they run when times get rough, dont worry pro illegals, they will all come back as soon as the economy better, which will happen as they LEAVE.

OBAMA.... thought you were goign to fix this issue....

Guess what I bet deporting them ALL, would reduce medical costs by BILLIONS and BILLIONS!!!!!!

[Joe]

The numbers on being falsely reported, its more like 20 million illegeals here.

[MutterMutter]

One million are gone, but the border is wide open, and the Democrats desperately want those illegal aliens as voters. They will cost the American Taxpayer a huge amount of money, and while people are following us around calling us dirty names... but hater very ofter, they still don't come forward with their organizations and sponsor the illegal aliens. Nor will they.. they want the votes.. not the problems and responsibilities.

I wonder though: does the American Citizen have enough pull to beat the illegal aliens? It doesn't look good.

[ginger]

cant wait for it to drop 10.8 million. maybe 2011 it will be zero!

[ghb]

Whoa, wait a minute, the numbers are wrong again! I would believe that the number of illegals dropped from 35 million to 33 million for the US and the California numbers quoted were just for Los Angeles. What is the number of students in the LA Unified and yes, including the 50% that have dropped out? At least 2 million.