Securing U.S. Borders against Illegal Immigration Raises Controversy

Illegal immigration statistics show the number of undocumented immigrants to the United States totaled 10.3 million in 2004, due mostly to unauthorized Mexicans arriving in the country since 2000. Many Americans point to a cost of illegal immigration, driving wages down because illegal immigrants will work for lower pay and fewer benefits than U.S. citizens. Assuming similar flows of illegal immigrants, it is estimated that the number in the U.S. now exceeds 11 million.

The numbers soared 23 percent from 8.4 million over the four years preceding March, 2004, according to an analysis of government data by a private research group, the Pew Hispanic Center.

57 Percent From Mexico

Illegal immigrants from Mexico equaled about 485,000 people between 2000 and 2004. Mexico is by far the main country of origin, at 57 percent of the March 2004 estimate, or 5.9 million people. Another 2.5 million people, or 24 percent, are from other Latin American countries.

Better job opportunities are the driving cause for illegal immigration. Although the United States has attempted to police its border to cut illegal entrance there has been only minimal reduction in the flow because the border with Mexico is quite large and the economic situation for the illegal immigrants makes the risk of being apprehended worth the effort to earn more money in the United States.

Continuing at 1990s Rate

Even though the United States economy is not as strong as in the 1990s, illegal immigration continues at the same rate. The report's illegal immigration statistics define "undocumented" immigrants as those who seek illegal entrance, have expired visas or expired temporary protected status and those seeking asylum.

The U.S. foreign-born population, regardless of status, reached 35.7 million in 2004. Mexicans again were the largest group, at 11 million, or 32 percent. The number of U.S. residents from Mexico has increased by almost 600,000 a year since 2000, with more than 80 percent of the new arrivals having proper documentation.

Terrorists Looking at Southwest Border?

Controlling the flow of illegal immigration across the U.S.-Mexican border has been the subject of talks between U.S. President George Bush and Mexican President Vicente Fox. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other government officials have expressed their concerns about border security in light of gathered intelligence suggesting al-Qaida terrorists have considered using the southwest border to gain entry to the U.S.

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