A new study from Pew shows that from 2000 to 2004 there was more illegal immigration than legal immigration. Time to close the border until we can get this at a maintainable level. What is the current message we are sending to those who want to come to America? That it's easier to just do it illegally?

Washington Post

The study by the Pew Hispanic Center said that immigration to the United States -- legal and illegal, from all regions of the world -- totaled about 1.1 million each year during the 1990s, peaked in 2000 at 1.5 million and declined substantially since 2001 to earlier levels. The number of new arrivals increased in 2004, the study said, though it is too early to say that the rise will last.

Pew demographer Jeffrey S. Passel said he believes this was the first time in the nation's history that new illegal arrivals outnumbered new legal immigrants. "The presence of the undocumented makes a big difference," he said. "This is what differentiates this from 100 years ago. There really wasn't anything like what we call illegal immigration today."

Tipped by: LW