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

[Karen]

How did they manage to come up with these statistics? Go around and yell "All here illegally raise your hands?" Sit outside emergency rooms, welfare offices and start counting? there are 10.8 million too many and until there are steps taken to enforce the laws they will again multiply.

[CATO]

I CAN SEE THE AUDIENCE HERE IS FAR MORE EDUCATED THAN THE TIMES WOULD LIKE TO BELIEVE WITH THESE BLATANTLY DOCTORED NUMBERS THAT COME STRAIGHT OUT OF JANET NAPOLITANO'S IMAGINATION. I CAN RECALL BACK IN TEH NINETIES WHEN THIS WASN'T AN ISSUE YET, THE TIMES AND OTHER MEDIA SOURCES SAYING THERE WERE MORE LIKE 20-21 MILLION ILLEGALS IN THE U.S.. WHEN THOSE FIGURED DROPPED DRASTICALLY AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS 'DEBATE'IN SAY '06-'07 MANY OF US SAID-"WHAT?" THE DEBATE WE HAVE YET TO HAVE ON THIS ISSUE,THAT IS. I KNEW YEARS AGO WE WERE IN FOR A SNOW-JOB WHEN THIS CAME TO A HEAD. THERE ARE FAR MORE ILLEGALS IN THE U.S. AS WELL AS IN CALIFORNIA, AND WE ALL KNOW IT WHETHER THE DIRECTOR OF 'HOPELESS SECURITY' -CHUBBY WANNABE ITALIAN JANET NAPOLITANO TELLS US THE TRUTH OR CONTINUES TO LIE. THIS ISN'T GOING TO CHANGE PEOPLE. THE AMERICAN PUBLIC KNOW WHAT THIS RUSE IS AND IT WILL NEVER SEE FRUITION. THE FACT THAT OUR OWN GOVERNMENT PUSHES AGAINST THE WILL OF THE VERY PEOPLE THAT ELECTED THEM ON THIS ISSUE IS UTTERLY AMAZING AND BEGSINVESTIGATION. WHAT IS IT ABOUT ALLOWING ALL THESE ILLEGALS ACCESS TO OUR RESOURCES THAT APPEALS SO MUCH TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT??? WHY WOULD THEY DO THIS?? IT BEGS FOR SCRUTINY, AND HINGES MORE ON THE NOTION OF THE NORTH AMERICAN UNION AND THE MELDING OF MEXICO, THE U.S., AND CANADA INTO AN ECONIMIC BLOC TO BE CONTROLLED BY A SICK FINANCIAL ELITE BEGGING TO BE SHUFFLED OFF THIS MORTAL COIL WITH EVERY STEP THEY TAKE THAN 'IMMIGRANT RIGHTS'. THAT MIGHT HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT. GET REAL ON THE NUMBERS THOUGH.

[Stephen]

What a xenophobic country we live in. The easiest thing for uneducated Americans to do is blame illegal immigrants for the countries problems. The mortgage crisis...the credit card crisis...lack of healthcare, none of these issues were caused by Americans. All these jobs immigrants perform are jobs that American citizens wont do. Ask around and see how many teachers have lost their jobs because of immigrants. NONE! I work in the financial sector and have to speak with people everyday who cant pay their bills but are too prideful to look for a job that might pay less because they think its demeaning. Everyone complaining about immigrants are the same ignorant people who are too lazy to better their lives and want everything handed to them. The same people who ignore homeless people in the streets, the same people who vote against universal healthcare, the same people who vote against gay marriage. EQUALITY FOR ALL!

[Ron Taylor]

I don't see what the issue is... Let's ask the Native American's what their thoughts are on immigration!!

[Tornadoes28]

LA Times, they are not illegal immigrants. They are illegal ALIENS.

foreign criminals would be even more accurate, or foreign invaders.

[Omar]

I normally chuckle at the petty, hate-filled polemics on these boards but the post by "Illegals hate Americans" may be the funniest post in blog history.

To quote: "DISGUSTING!!!! The country is in the biggest hole in decade and they run when times get rough..."

Uh...genius... they ...like...you know...come here to work. IF NO ONE IS HIRING THEM, THEY WON'T COME HERE!!! (They certainly don't come to the US for the bad food and inferior culture just to hang out with the type of bloated working-class blowhards that often post on these forums.

[Dubu]

silly la times - how does that translate into PLUMMET? and even more confusing - if they are illegal, how do we even count them?

[James]

Can you imagine how it will be on the road without illegals? no traffic and cheaper insurance? Just a pipe dream though since California has over 10 million illegals alone. The Census is inept.

[pr jones]

If anyone believes this . then you are a candidate to buy that big bridge in sa francisco.

[Matt]

That's 10.8 million too many.

[steve]

Who knew? People come here from other countries for economic opportunities. And all this time I thought it was for Truth, Justice, and the American Way.

[jwl]

Theres 10 million in my neighborhood alone and thats not counting the home depot!!!!

[tj]

illegal immigrants

:..:::warning:::: this is NOT politically correct...... here is a short summery of why california is in such heavy debt... not a complete reason mind you but couple this in along with the fraudulent welfare abusers and i think you might get the picture...
under these conditions california will not be able to continue.....something has to give... and it should not be the legal citizens ...just sayin.....
don't agree..leave a comment..i am open to discussion on this

Joe Legal vs. Jose Illegal

Here is an example of why hiring illegal aliens is not economically
productive for the State of California ...

You have 2 families....."Joe Legal" and "Jose Illegal". Both families
have 2 parents, 2 children and live in California.

"Joe Legal" works in construction, has a Social Security Number, and
makes $25.00 per hour with payroll taxes deducted......"Jose Illegal"
also works in construction, has "NO" Social Security Number, and gets
paid $15.00 cash "under the table".

Joe Legal...$25.00 per hour x 40 hours $1000.00 per week, $52,000 per
year Now take 30% away for state federal tax Joe Legal now has $31,231.00

Jose Illegal.....$15.00 per hour x 40 hours $600.00 per week, $31,200.00
per year Jose Illegal pays no taxes... Jose Illegal now has $31,200.00

Joe Legal pays Medical and Dental Insurance with limited coverage
$1000.00 per month $12,000.00 per year Joe Legal now has $19,231.00

Jose Illegal has full Medical and Dental coverage through the state and
local clinics at a cost of $0.00 per year Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00

Joe Legal makes too much money is not eligible for Food Stamps or
welfare Joe Legal pays for food $1,000.00 per month $12,000.00 per year
Joe Legal now has $ 7,231.00

Jose Illegal has no documented income and is eligible for Food Stamps
and Welfare Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00 Joe Legal pays rent of
$1,000.00 per month $12,000.00 per year Joe Legal is now in the hole
minus (-) $4,769.00

Jose Illegal receives a $500 per month Federal rent subsidy
Jose Illegal pays rent $500.00 per month $6,000.00 per year
Jose Illegal still has $25,200.00

Joe Legal now works overtime on Saturdays or gets a part time job
after work.

Jose Illegal has nights and weekends off to enjoy with his family.

Joe Legal's and Jose Illegal's children both attend the same school.
Joe Legal pays for his children's lunches while Jose Illegal's children
get a government sponsored lunch. Jose Illegal's children have an
after school ESL program. Joe Legal's children go home.

Joe Legal and Jose Illegal both enjoy the same Police and Fire
Services, but Joe paid for them and Jose did not pay.

Don't vote/support any politician that supports illegal aliens...
Its PAST time to take a stand for America and Americans!

[Mike]

Why on Earth would anything the "Department of Homeland Security" says be seen as anything but a test of the telephone?

The net aggregate IQ of just one element of DHS - the "Transportation Security Administration" is actually a number with a negative exponent.

[american realist]

i rather enjoy the fact that half the people that leave comments don't have proper grammer and cannot spell to save they're lives, (uneducated "americans", lol). a quarter are bitter because they're unemployed and don't possess any REAL job skills that can land them a job. the remaining quarter compare "illegal immigrants" to "ex-husbands" (i.e. MAGGIE GODDARD), there's a reason you're single "woman"; your ex-husband knew better than to stick around with people like you. probably found someone WAY more intelligent and now you're left in the welfare/unemployment line with the part of society you LOVE to hate. good god men and women, GET A LIFE! worry about YOUR own well being and YOUR own families. everybody deserves to provide for their own, INCLUDING illegal immigrants. look back far enough and every one of you will see that your families did not originate from this country. GET REAL PEOPLE! OPEN YOUR EYES!

[tj]

why won't you post my comments??? i was only speaking truthfully and without disparaging anyone person

[Kathy]

Not in my neighborhood they are swarming all over the place. My child's school is 98% Non English speakers and the parents do not know a word of English. The Elementary school even offers Free ESL classes several nights a week for parents. I live in Pomona and there are 29 elementary schools and they are all with the exception of 2 schools predominately Non English (i.e. Hispanics) speakers in attendance. Maybe in the frigid mid-west the illegals ran home or back to LA where they can collect large welfare checks for all their meal tickets.

[Noah]

This is fake news for feel good phonies. Illegals count for as much as 50 million, they haven't stopped breeding and have turned the west into a 3rd world ghetto.

[xm]

11.6 million to 10.8 nation wide

2.8 to 2.6 mil in CA

That doesn't strike me as a steep dropoff, considering the recession.

[Rik]

Why stop at illegal aliens....I'm tired of supporting everyone who is on wellfare! No matter what ethnicity, i hate supporting people whom are perfectly capable of supporting themselves! immigrants or not! If you cant feed em, DONT BREED EM!

[Tomas Gonzales-Smith]

I wish all these bunch of racist would show they faces and their true names along with their comments. Bunch of cowards! Did they ever ask the pilgrims for paperwork when their ship landed on Plymouth Rock?

[Frank]

Glad to see the KKK is still alive and kicking.....
3rd generation latino here. FYI.
It's no wonder why I can't stand white people and their "offsprings".
Could it be because they preach hate while blogging? Or because they can't understand the invasion? Or because "NON ILLEGAL ALIENS" - like ALL YOU PURE AMERICANS (what a joke!) - keep hiring us?
Like illegal drugs - there's a demand for it.
Stop hiring illegal immigrants to do your house work, your home improvements, the lawn, babysitting, etc. etc.. In other words get off your lazy butts and care for your OWN kids and commit YOURSELF to your duties at home....
By the way and illegal (Specially here in los angeles) is not going to be counted. I'm sorry. It's not going to happen.....lmao

[Ashamed American]

I'm an American living abroad and I send money back to the states. Does that make me a douche bag ANTHONY? I doubt it, I have bills back home and I'm sure any person that lives in America that has family outside of the States has bills or an obligation back in their home country. And yes, I do agree that we have a problem with illegals but illegals aren't the real problem. The real problem revolves around our addiction to money. I recommend everyone to go and watch the documentary FOOD INC. and learn a thing or two on how American businesses are in it for the money. Therefore, hiring illegals is the most feasible thing to do...that's if you want to make big profits. Why do you think that American companies outsourced all of our manufacturing jobs to the East? For the money!!! So before you bash on some illiterate-ignorant illegals who don't know a thing or two about our country you should email our "American" billionaire's who are making a killing on illegals and their business philosophy.

[John Leone]

Without undocumented workers from Mexico, California wouldn't exist. To listen to the grotesques and ignoramuses below, the migrant workers
cost money, when all studies- UCLA 2009, U of Arizona 2008, U of
Wisconsin 2007 show clearly that migrant workers not only make money
for themselves, but generate huge tax revenues in the states- in CA it
was over a billion dollars last year. They pay taxes and rent, they buy
food and services, and the monkeys whose thinly-veiled racism reveals them
for the unevolved sub-humans they are. Go back to wherever you're from,
you idiots: California, San Diego, Los Angeles, La Puente you morons, San
Francisco- what language are those names from, Droolers?

[cml]

Thank god.

Most of them probably left after refinancing and cashing out their house that they shouldn't have been financed for in the first place.

But now watch for more outsourcing, as the jobs follow the illegals, while corporations continue to sacrifice national interest and american jobs for globalized profits.