According to new estimates by the Pew Hispanic Center, the annual influx of unauthorized immigrants into the U.S. fell nearly two-thirds from March 2007 to March 2009 compared to between March 2000 and March 2005. The decline resulted in an 8% reduction in the number of unauthorized immigrants living in the U.S. The decrease from a high of 12 million in March 2007 to 11.1 million in March 2009 represents the first significant reversal in growth of this population over the last 20 years.
The biggest decline (22%) in these immigrants has been from Latin American countries other than Mexico. The Mexican unauthorized population, which accounts for 60% of these immigrants, peaked in 2007 at 7 million and has since leveled off.
The decrease in unauthorized population has been most notable along America’s Southeast coast and in the Mountain West states. In 2009, 59% of unauthorized immigrants resided in California, Texas, Florida, New York, Illinois and New Jersey. The share living in these states has declined from 80% in 1990 as immigrants have moved into new settlement locations.

Pictured: The biggest decline in unauthorized immigrants into the U.S. has been from Latin American countries other than Mexico.
Photo courtesy of Pew Hispanic Center