Number of detained illegal immigrants in its lowest point since 1973

(Erica)

Date of article: 6-16-09

The number of detained illegal immigrants in the United States decreased in its third consecutive year in 2008, 723,000, 18% less than the previous year and the lowest number in 35 years (information provided by the Department of Internal Security).

Findings:
- 2000: 1.68 million were detentions by the Border Patrol
- 2005: 1.18 million were detentions by the Border Patrol
- 2008: 723,000 were detentions by the Border Patrol
-Of those detainees:
-91% from Mexico
-2.7% from Honduras
-2.3% from Guatemala
-1.8% from El Salvador
-98% of the detentions occurred in the US-Mexican border region/area
-The average illegal immigrant who attempts to cross the border in 84% of the cases is a male and 71% of the time anywhere between the age of 18 and 34.

According to the report, there are different factors of the decrease of detentions, including the economic recession and the increase surveillance of the border patrol.These figures coincide with what the Mexican government recently reported, that on average immigrants who seek employment in the United States decreased to about 300,000, from a half a million annual crosses detected previous years.The highest number of detentions so far occurred in 1986, when the United States captured 1,693 million people, just before the Immigration Reform occurred.

But this data just reflects “detentions, and not individuals”, given that any person who is captured can try to re-enter the US again and again until he/she succeeds.The report also noted that after 911 the deportation figures have increased. Just in 2008 323,000 people were deported, a 20% increase.

Click here for link