Flow of Mexicans to U.S. declines sharply

WASHINGTON, July 22 (UPI) -- The number of Mexican migrants coming to the United States is continuing its recent sharp decline, a Pew Hispanic Center analysis indicated Wednesday.

In a study of government data from both countries, the center concluded in an analysis released Wednesday that the Mexican-born population in the United States, which had been growing earlier in the 2000s, stood at 11.5 million in early 2009 -- not significantly different from the 11.6 million Mexican immigrants in 2008 or the 11.2 million in 2007.

The study's authors said in a release that the current recession has had a harsh impact on employment of Latino immigrants, but they said evidence that Mexican-born residents are returning home is not apparent. The new Hispanic Center analysis found no support for that hypothesis in government data from the United States or Mexico.

The flow of Mexican immigrants into the United States began to diminish in mid-decade, and has continued to do so through early 2009, an analysis of the latest available population surveys from both countries found. The U.S. Border Patrol reported apprehensions of Mexicans attempting to cross illegally into the United States decreased by one-third between 2006 and 2008.