A new report by the Pew Hispanic Center, a project of the Pew Research Center, examines whether the annual volume of immigration and emigration between the U.S. and Mexico has gone up or down since mid-decade. It analyzes data provided by major population surveys from Mexico and the U.S., as well as U.S. Border Patrol apprehension figures.
Mexico is by far the leading country of origin for U.S. immigrants, accounting for a third of all foreign-born residents and two-thirds of Hispanic immigrants. The current recession has had a harsh impact on Latino immigrants, raising the question of whether an increased number of Mexican-born residents are choosing to return home. This report addresses that question, and examines whether a decline in immigration from Mexico that began in 2006 has continued.