Immigrant Workers Staying Home

Immigrant workers across Long Island say a job shortage has prompted them to urge others to cancel plans to illegally cross the border. Their messages mirror reports from directors of food banks, shelters and church outreach groups, who see signs that illegal immigration to Long Island is slowing significantly.

The local trend reflects nationwide reports that immigrants without documents are staying away from the United States, especially the Northeast and other economically pinched areas.

Finding reliable statistics is difficult, but many indicators suggest a decrease in arrivals. US Census data, for example, show that the number of all immigrants entering New York State dropped by 10% last year, from a high of 104,709 in 2006.

The Mexican central bank showed that Mexicans living abroad sent less money home last year than the previous year, a drop from $26.1 billion to $25.1 billion, or 3.6%. It’s the first yearly drop since the bank started keeping track in 1995.