Closing a border

It should come as no surprise that the number of illegal immigrants in this country has declined in recent years. But an 8 percent decrease, as reported in a recent poll, is dramatic.

There were 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States in 2007. By 2009, that part of the population had dropped to 11.1 million, said the Pew Hispanic Center which used census data to compile its report.

More vigorous enforcement on the southern border of the United States has reduced the number of migrants from the Caribbean and Latin America attempting to enter this country.

Economic reasons have kept some potential migrants out, the report said. Job opportunities have dried up in some sectors, although one would expect that agriculture jobs would still be available.

Yet the danger of crossing the southern border, or even getting to the border, has to be a factor. As the recent mass murder of immigrants in Mexico showed, people traveling from South or Central America to the United States face nightmarish perils — kidnappings, extortion, torture, thievery and even murder at the hands of cruel criminals attempting to steal their money or enlist them in drug running. Then there is the desert that takes its toll.

More "unauthorized immigrants" are being deported these days as well, the report suggests. The Arizona law dealing with illegal aliens has fanned the flames of debate.

The report says fewer people are "sneaking into the country," according to Pew analyst Jeffrey Passel. More than 389,000 people were deported last year.

The climate has changed. One thing that has not is the need for immigration reform.