Police watch as opponents of Arizona's new immigration enforcement law gather outside the state capitol building.
(John Moore/Getty)
The issue of how the U.S. should control migration on the border with Mexico is politically sensitive and emotionally charged. It’s formed a major focus for the Obama administration and a key question for the Republican candidates. But the latest data from both sides of the border suggest that, in fact, Mexicans are no longer migrating to the U.S. in the way they once were. This year's net migration will be close to zero. They are either not crossing the border, or if they do, many end up returning to Mexico.
Dr. Juan Carlos Calleros, a researcher at the Center of Immigration Studies in Mexico, discusses what the numbers mean. Gustavo Arellano, managing editor with OC Weekly and author of the syndicated column Ask a Mexican, thinks tougher border crossing controls are the real reason for the migration decrease.
Comments [1]
There are a lot of good people in this country which are deemed to be illegal.
While immigration might be lower because of the poor economy, I would suggest that the Gang wars in Mexico have a lot to do with it. The priority of running drugs is countering the immigration, as well as their lack of support for the illegal people once they get here.
The drug war needs to be limited to Cocaine and other hard drugs, get Marijuana out of the mix.
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