DHS Reports Decline of Unauthorized Population in the U.S.: January 2009

DHS released a report estimating that the unauthorized immigrant population living in the U.S. decreased to 10.8 million in January 2009 and grew by 27 percent between 2000 and 2009.

DHS estimates that the unauthorized immigrant population living in the United States decreased to 10.8 million in January 2009 from 11.6 million in January 2008. Between 2000 and 2009, the unauthorized population grew by 27 percent. Of all unauthorized immigrants living in the United States in 2009, 63 percent entered before 2000, and 62 percent were from Mexico. Most of the reported decline is being attributed to the current economic recession.