The number of Mexican immigrants who cross the border to live in the United States has hit a 10-year low, but those already in the U.S. aren't returning to Mexico in higher-than-usual numbers, according to a new report.
The report, released today by the Pew Hispanic Center, concludes that the widely held view that the recession is triggering a mass reverse immigration back to Mexico is incorrect.
The study found that from March 2008 to March 2009, the number of immigrants from Mexico was 175,000 -- the lowest point this decade, and about half the average for the previous two years.
The number of people returning to Mexico has actually declined slightly in recent years, to 433,000 for the 12-month period ending in February 2009 from 479,000 for the same frame ending in 2007.
The study also included evidence suggesting that illegal immigration from Mexico is significantly down. In 2008, U.S. Border Patrol apprehended 662,000 Mexicans, a 40 percent drop from a peak of 1.1 million in 2004.
However, the report cautioned that border apprehension might not be an accurate reflection of illegal immigration patterns.
In any case, the overall snapshot seemed to indicate that Mexicans on both sides of the border are staying put.
Meanwhile, the Mexican-born population in the United States in early 2009 -- 11.9 million -- has held steady. In 2007, it was 11.2 million.
