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* Both Indiana and Wisconsin saw an uptick over the past two years, according to the Tribune…
The number of unauthorized immigrants residing in Illinois dropped by 10 percent, or 50,000 people, between 2009 and 2014 — something experts say has been key to Chicago’s recent population loss.
“So much of the population growth in this region was based on legal and undocumented immigration. This closes the plug on the growth we’ve had,” said Rob Paral, a Chicago-based demographer who advises nonprofits and community groups. “Undocumented immigrants were a substantial piece of the picture, and that era is behind us.”
In 2014, about 450,000 unauthorized immigrants lived in Illinois, compared with about 500,000 in 2009, according to a study released Tuesday by the Pew Research Center. While most states saw no significant change in their unauthorized immigrant populations during the five-year period, Illinois is among seven states that saw their populations decline, primarily due to a drop in the number of unauthorized immigrants from Mexico. […]
By almost every metric, the state’s population as a whole is rapidly declining, and the Chicago area in 2015 lost an estimated 6,263 residents, the greatest loss of any metropolitan area in the country. Large numbers of residents leaving the region have traditionally been offset by births and new residents, but those new residents, particularly Mexican immigrants, are no longer moving into the state.
Unauthorized immigrants from other countries remained about the same here during the time period.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Sep 22, 16 @ 1:12 pm
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I can’t see having fewer unauthorized (I like that terminology) immigrants as a bad thing. Yes, fewer people to do the work we supposedly refuse to do, but oh, well. Fewer unpaid mrfical bills, fewer ESL difficulties at schools, and so forth. I don’t see it affecting crime rates. Even if Trump does.
I don’t like the excerpt trying to justify unauthorized immigration as a method of keeping our population count stable.
Comment by Thoughts Matter Thursday, Sep 22, 16 @ 1:26 pm
I tried to proofread on my phone, honest. Medical not mrfical.
Comment by Thoughts Matter Thursday, Sep 22, 16 @ 1:28 pm
People who are alarmed about undocumented immigrants and want to expel them might be glad. But should they be? Is their departure a plus or minus economically? Be careful about what you wish for…
Overall the number of Mexican entering the US illegally is the lowest since 1971, and in many recent years more Mexicans have returned to their native country than are coming north.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/20/us/more-mexican-immigrants-leaving-us-than-entering-report-finds.html?_r=0
Comment by IllinoisBoi Thursday, Sep 22, 16 @ 1:31 pm
I’d assume that it’s easy for undocumented workers to find employment in Wisconsin and Indiana as they’re right to work states.
Comment by Carhartt Representative Thursday, Sep 22, 16 @ 1:44 pm
The Chicago area lost 6263 residents? The Chicago area population is something like 8.4 million. It’s pretty hard to get excited about that small change.
Comment by NoGifts Thursday, Sep 22, 16 @ 1:50 pm
Good news
Comment by Saluki Thursday, Sep 22, 16 @ 1:51 pm
IllinoisBoi-
If we need more immigrants, then we should go about allowing in more legal immigrants after vetting them, getting sponsors for them, and so forth. I’m okay with working out deals with the Dreamers also- if they are willing to serve in the military, Americore, or so forth.
Comment by Thoughts Matter Thursday, Sep 22, 16 @ 1:53 pm
The absolute refusal of all the Presidents since Reagan to enforce the immigration laws is maddening. It is a part of their job and they will not do it.
People who benefit from having plentiful unskilled and inexpensive labor have opposed enforcing the laws. So have people who disagree with the laws on humanitarian grounds. Until the laws are changed, they should be enforced.
The people who are economically hurt by this uncontrolled immigration are those at the bottom of the workforce. If the undocumented workers were not here some jobs would disappear, others would be restructured to be more attractive, and wages for unskilled and semi-skilled labor would be higher than they are today.
Given our current situation with almost 4% of our population being undocumented, I would support legalization with no path to citizenship for those currently here with no criminal convictions. But the inflow of undocumented people must stop.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Thursday, Sep 22, 16 @ 1:57 pm
Is this the outmigration the IPI keeps fretting?
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Sep 22, 16 @ 2:07 pm
If Mexicans are staying or going home because the Mexican economy is improving, that’s a good thing. Families are often separated for long periods when one or both breadwinners has to emigrate for work.
Other than that, where are emigres from Illinois going? Warmer climes? Better job markets? Cheaper housing? Need more info. And keep in mind, the evil mogul or his successor(s) may not be able to do much about those reasons.
Maybe global warming will save us in future years. It is cold here for at least half of the year.
Comment by Cassandra Thursday, Sep 22, 16 @ 3:18 pm
=== The number of unauthorized immigrants residing in Illinois dropped by 10 percent, or 50,000 people, between 2009 and 2014 — something experts say has been key to Chicago’s recent population loss.===
To conservatives, this would be good news. Since it happened on the Obama/Quinn watch, do they get any credit? Fewer unauthorized immigrants is the key to the City’s population loss. Is that because those immigrants didn’t like the political corruption and business taxes, which is what the GOP blames pop. loss on?
Comment by anon Thursday, Sep 22, 16 @ 3:43 pm