According to the Pew Research Center, the number of immigrants crossing the border of the United States illegally is on the rise. The numbers were below the peak between years 1980 and 2005. More than 12.2 million people illegally crossed the border in 2007. The number of undocumented immigrants peaked in 2007, while it dropped to 11.3 million in 2009. The number of such immigrants is again approaching that height now.
Pew states that there are more than 11.7 million undocumented immigrants currently living in America. Many believe that the reason for increased illegal immigration is the stronger US economy that is capable of providing more jobs. According to Pew, Texas has the largest undocumented immigrant population in America.
California, Texas, New Jersey, Florida, Illinois and New York are the six American states in which more than 60 percent of undocumented immigrants live. Texas is the state that is experiencing peak number of such immigrants. Texas had no decreases between 2007 and 2011 whereas the other five states experienced declines after 2007. Most of the immigrants who illegally cross the border and get into the United States are Mexicans.
The president of ImmigrationWorks USA, Tamar Jacoby, stated that unauthorized immigration dropped after 2007 due to stricter border enforcement. Also, the US economy got worse and the Mexican economy got better. These are two other reasons why illegal immigration fell after 2007. The US Department of Homeland Security deported several undocumented immigrants, who violated the country’s laws, in 2011 and this is also a reason.
Jacoby said that the things are different now and that the US economy is improving and that the improving economy of the country is attracting foreigners. He added that it is good that our country’s economy is improving and that it is giving opportunities to the ones who deserve them. So the US Congress now needs to recognize the need for workers, who have been working hard all these days. Though they are undocumented, they contribute to the country’s economy. The US Congress must recognize the contributions they have made and allow them to obtain US citizenship.