Mexican immigration to U.S. at a standstill: report [View all]

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

By Tim Gaynor

PHOENIX | Mon Apr 23, 2012 3:07pm EDT

(Reuters) - The flow of immigrants into the United States from Mexico has come to a standstill and may have reversed, bringing a stunning end to a four-decade surge of newcomers from the country's southern neighbor, according to a study released on Monday.

The report by the non-partisan Pew Hispanic Center found that an influx that brought 12 million immigrants to the United States since the 1970s, more than half of whom came illegally, began to slow five years ago and may have reversed in the past two years.

"The standstill appears to be the result of many factors, including the weakened U.S. job and housing construction markets, heightened border enforcement (and) a rise in deportations," it said.

Other factors include the growing dangers associated with crossing north illegally from Mexico and the long-term decline in Mexico's birth rates. The report said it was possible the immigration wave would resume as the U.S. economy recovers.

[font size=1]-snip-[/font]


Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/23/us-usa-mexico-immigration-study-idUSBRE83M19320120423