Sanctuary

[bluecuracao]

Originally Posted by jinx

Mexico is the country of origin for 54% of illegal immigrants. 80% are from the western Hemisphere.

The info seems to be a little old...1996? I wonder if the estimated percentages still apply.

[jinx]

Originally Posted by bluecuracao

The info seems to be a little old...1996? I wonder if the estimated percentages still apply.

Let us know what you find out.

[bluecuracao]

Originally Posted by jinx

Let us know what you find out.

It looks like the latest, official detailed estimates came out with the 2000 Census (pdf file).

http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/s...eport_1211.pdf

They estimate the percentage of Mexicans are 69% of illegal immigrants. It could be close to the real number, or not...I wonder how many immigrants from Central and South America just say they're from Mexico, in case they're deported. Then, they're only taken across the border, instead of being flown all the way back to, say, Ecuador, Colombia or Brazil (countries of origin that are estimated to have large jumps in the number of immigrants in 2000) and having to start the journey all over again.

This article from NPR helps explain the estimate sources and methodology. I thought this was particularly interesting:

Historically, people have migrated from Mexico illegally for seasonal work, especially in agriculture. No agency tracks those who migrate illegally, but they are not "immigrants" because they do not stay in the United States. Instead, these migrants moved back and forth across the border.

But border security has increased both the risks and the cost of that circular migration. As a result, there is anecdotal evidence that more people are staying in the United States illegally and even sending for their families. But, again, no numbers yet exist that would accurately prove or disprove that theory.

This could explain why, at least partly, the U.S. has been seeing such a huge increase in undocumented immigrants lately.