Our Opinion: Lull in illegal immigration is opportune for border fix

Illegal immigration is at its lowest point in 30 years. But as the U.S. economy recovers, arrests will climb again.

To be sure, enforcement has made it far more difficult to breach the border.


December 29, 2008, 3:06 p.m.
Tucson Citizen
letters@tucsoncitizen.com

There is no doubt deterrence - increased physical and electronic barricades coupled with more Border Patrol agents - has made it more difficult to enter the United States illegally.

But it is something far stronger - the unalterable, unbreakable law of supply and demand - that is largely responsible for a sharp reduction in illegal immigrant arrests.

Illegal immigration is at its lowest level in more than 30 years. But as surely as the American economy will recover and need more workers, the number of people trying to enter the country illegally also will climb again.

Before this happens, before the lull ends, it is a good time to again begin addressing comprehensive immigration reform. That is the only way we can make a long-term dent in the number of people here illegally.

The Border Patrol reported that the number of people arrested trying to enter the United States illegally from Mexico is at its lowest level since the mid-1970s.

In fiscal 2008, which ended Sept. 30, the agency caught 705,000 people after they illegally entered the U.S. from Mexico. That's still nearly 2,000 people a day - but the lowest number since 1976.

To be sure, enforcement has made it far more difficult to breach the border. Since 1986, Border Patrol staffing has climbed from 4,000 to 18,000 agents. And about 526 miles of border fence have been built since 2007.

But it is the economy that has been the main factor. Word has quickly spread back to Mexico that there are few jobs available in the United States.

Nonetheless, about 11.9 million illegal immigrants live in the United States, according to an October estimate by the Pew Hispanic Center. And all the fences and agents and crackdowns won't prevent more from coming when the economy improves.

Fences also do nothing to stop people who come to the United States legally, then overstay their visas and melt into the country. There are estimates that 45 percent of those in the country illegally entered legally.

All of that points for the need to have a comprehensive package of immigration reforms in place for when the economy recovers, jobs are available and when more people again are willing to risk everything to come here in search of work.

The border security half of immigration reform is well under way. Now we need to discuss other factors, such as a way for people to legally come here and take jobs that are unfilled.

There also must be talk about the people already here - how to persuade them to step forward and under what circumstances they should be allowed to stay.

President-elect Barack Obama will come into office with lessened pressure on our southern border. He should take advantage of that respite and lay a foundation for a permanent fix.
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