Between a struggling economy and increased immigration enforcement, risking everything for the "American Dream" may not have the same appeal right now. For the first time in two decades, the number of undocumented immigrants has declined, dropping by 8%.
"With the lack of jobs, failing economy and stepped enforcement, the fear of living in the shadows has finally gotten to the immigration community," said Karan Kler, the Executive Director of Coachella Valley Immigration Service Assistance who says he's seeing reverse migration. Over the last six months, Kler knows of ten families who have moved back home. "It's an increasing trend whereby the safety and security of their family outweighs trying to find employment here."
"Basically, why people come to the U.S. is because they want to work," said Jessica Arcos of Cathedral City who is a legal resident, but still has family in Mexico. "I had a cousin who wanted to come, and I told him, don't even try. It's not worth the risk."
A new study released by the Pew Hispanic Center this week estimates that 11.1 undocumented immigrants lived in the U.S. In 2009. Roughly 2.5 million undocumented immigrants live in California, or 6.9% of the population, the highest percentage in the Country. California is followed by Nevada, Texas and Arizona.
