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

[Brandon Fureigh]

NOW I GET IT! The Republicans ran our economy into the ground and are doing everything possible to prevent the President from solving the problems we face because they think if they can destroy this country, no one will want to stay here. Its their new Immigration Policy.

[emenot]

This is such OLD NEWS! All INS have to do is go to Home Depot and they would be mugged as soon as they walk toward the front door! Lately, I maybe seeing very few if any day workers there.......

[pmg]

Didn't drop by enough to the most desirable number, ZERO.

[Don]

Yesterday the gov reported there very few, a dramitic drop in their population, you better check out mission viejo area, their numbers have increased, were on multiple sections of road now, over 50 by my observation today on 2 corners. Yep, eyes don't lie, feds do!

[hoover]

"...living in the U.S. plummeted to 10.8 million in 2009, from 11.6 million the previous year..."

"Plummeted"? Seriously? That's a drop of, what, 7% or 8%? Is 7% or 8% really a "plummet"?

[Bruce]

Good..only 10.8 million to go

[Alan]

That's barely 10%. I'll celebrate when it drops by half. And then does it again.

[pugtv]

Liberals have long argued it is not feasible to deport all illegal immigrants, therefore, we should legalize them and make them come out of the shadows. They've ignored the fact that illegal immigrants will leave on their own if the disincentives (to stay) are there.

Well, here is proof that illegal immigrants will leave on their own.

[Richard]

So they're leaving because America isn't good enough anymore? Talk about irony.

I vote Democratic, but the illegal situation in Los Angeles is really starting to get out of control.

[Lanerd]

First off they are not illegal immigrants , they are illegal aliens in the country in violation of our immigration laws .

[Fred]

What is the pop of CA? 36 million? So about one in 13 or so is not legal?

[Louweegie272]

2.8 to 2.6 million represents an 8% drop. Not really plummeting is it? We need mandatory E Verify now.

[Al Sanchez]

WELL, I DON'T THINK A DROP FROM 11.6 TO 10.8 SHOULD BE CALLED "PLUMMETED." GET REAL. A DROP OF SEVERAL MILLION WOULD BE PLUMMETING. NOT UNTIL EVERY LAST ONE OF "THEM" ARE OUT WOULD I CALL THAT BEING A PLUMMET IN ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. I'M HISPANIC AND ALL I WANT IS FOR THEM TO NOT COME HERE ANYMORE AND BREED MORE BABIES AND RUIN MORE NEIGHBORHOODS. I'M NOT POLITICALLY CORRECT AND NO ONE SHOULD BE REGARDING ANY ISSUE. JUST BECAUSE I'M HISPANIC THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT I LIKE THEM OR STICK UP FOR THEM ANYMORE THAN ANYONE ELSE. I'VE SEEN LOS ANGELES GO FROM BEAUTIFUL TO A THIRD WORLD NATION IN JUST 20 YEARS. JUST IMAGINE WHAT ANOTHER 20 YEARS WILL DO.

AL SANCHEZ

[Tony]

Just check the jails and you'll find where they went. They sure as heck ain't going back where they came from.

[Brandon]

Wow, we lost 200,000 undocumented persons in 2009--and it doesn't even make a dent. According to the numbers in this article, California still has 24% of all the illegals in the U.S. So, how is it that no one seems to grasp the gravity of this situation?

[Dave]

This report further shows why do NOT have to grant "comprehensive reform" amnesty to and legalize illegal aliens.

Rather, if we cut off the jobs and enforce the laws, illegal aliens will leave and return home, without the need for mass deportations.

And do remember there are still about 7 million illegal foreign workers in our country that need to be removed from their illegal jobs so they can go to Americans.

[YeahRight]

Oh good grief, there's 12 million illegal aliens in California alone. Back up and try a new model, Department of Homeland Stupidity, the Pew Center model has always been a lie to conceal the actual number of illegal aliens in the US to minimalize the issue, not provide an accurate number of how many illegal aliens there really are in the US and expose it.

After all, if people knew how many illegal aliens there really are in the US, which I think is well over 60 million including their offspring by now, there might just be some dissent from even the idiot groups supporting this travesty against American Law and Justice which just might bring this integration and dissolution plot to destroy the US to a grinding halt.

[Greg]

If you can count them then deport them back to there own country!

[2 cents]

though in an interesting statistical quirk, I happened to be behind all 10 million of them this morning on the freeway

[jake]

if they know there are still 10.8 million here, why not start deporting them?

[ANTHONY]

THAT'S HARDLY A DENT AND TELL ME HOW MANY OF THEM REALLY DO LOVE THE U.S. BY FLYING OLD GLORY.THEY SAY THEY LOVE THIS COUNTRY BUT I DON'T THINK SO.THEY SEND THE MONEY THEY MAKE BACK TO MEXICO.

[desertlady]

That is to many left, get rid of 100 million more send them or take them back where they came from the sooner the better

[desertlady]

This author needs to check his numbers again. Don't sound right to many of us.

[Harry Deshute]

10.6 Million Please! Anyone who lives inthe Southwest knows it is more like 30 million.
This influx of Illegal Aliens is ruining this county.

[Apollo01]

It's ridiculous to think these polls are even remotely accurate. How did they arrive at this conclusion. Perhaps have surveyors go from door to door and ask "are you an illegal immigrant?" To which the response would be either a "yes" or a "no." Geez! Just how ignorant do you think people really are?