As the Department of Homeland Security continues to pour money into border security, evidence is emerging that illegal immigration flows have fallen to their lowest level in at least two decades. The nation’s population of illegal immigrants, which more than tripled, to 12.2 million, between 1990 and 2007, has dropped by about 1 million, according to demographers at the Pew Research Center.
A key — but largely overlooked — sign of these ebbing flows is the changing makeup of the undocumented population. Until recent years, illegal immigrants tended to be young men streaming across the Southern border in pursuit of work. But demographic data show that the typical illegal immigrant now is much more likely someone who is 35 or older and has lived in the United States for a decade or more.
Homeland security officials in the Obama and George W. Bush administrations — who have more than doubled the Border Patrol’s size and spent billions on drones, sensors and other technology at the border — say enhanced security is driving the new trends.
“We have seen tremendous progress,” said R. Gil Kerlikowske, commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security. “The border is much more secure than in times past.”
The issue of border security is central to the broader debate over immigration reform that has roiled Washington in recent years and is emerging as a flash point in the 2016 presidential campaign. Congressional Republicans have insisted on greater border security before they consider legalizing any immigrants who came to this country without proper documents.
All the screeching and bellowing about “secure our border” is simply political rhetoric. In addition to heightened security, migration from Mexico to the United States has slowed down because of Mexico’s improved economy.
Most people from south of the border, at least in this area, seem to be older and have families. They seem to have established jobs and often own their own businesses. Their children go to school regularly and very often the mothers are stay at home moms.
How do I know this? I see them around town. I see the names on trucks and I see the mothers walking their children to and from school. I also don’t ask to see “papers please” when I hire people to do jobs for me. I hire established business people.
Even people who are here legally often have friends and family whose paper work might not be in order. It’s high time that Congress get off its hypocritical ass and work up some legislation that protects hard working people who now think of themselves as Americans.
Whoever says this administration is not doing enough to enforce border security doesn’t know what the hell they’re talking about.
The new Border Security Bill actually removes 66 miles of fences from the border with Mexico – and only funds an additional 27 miles. The problem with this is that this is the GOP proposal. That is why we do not hear the battle cry of secure the border that past few months is that the GOP is failing to secure the border because they do not want to secure it.
Starry Flights — Always a sucker for gummint propaganda.
The new budget season is upon us. Agencies are busy ginning up the numbers to show program success and value. DHS is no different and the idea that they could release a statement to the likes of the WPost and NY times in contrast to the Administration’s desire for amnesty is not lost on anyone. The goal here is to undermine opposition to immigration reform and – and – the need secure the border first. Its really not a problem any more, so let’s go legalize everyone. Another lie but if they say it enough it must be true and if not, well, its old news – right?
The numbers cited in the article are from the Pew Research Center, not the “gummint.”