Fewer immigrants head home amid recession

Fewer people came here from Mexico and fewer people went back there, than in other years. This recession seems to have people just waiting. The same thing is happening in other countries. - - Donna Poisl

By DIANA WASHINGTON VALDEZ, El Paso Times

EL PASO — Many immigrants hurt by the recession decided to ride out the downturn rather than return to their home countries, according to a Migration Policy Institute report released Tuesday.

The report found that fewer Mexican citizens tried to enter the United States, and fewer Mexican citizens who were in the United States illegally tried to return home.

“This recession has caused people to stay put at both ends, in their adopted countries and in their home countries,” said Michelle Mittelstadt, spokeswoman for the Migration Policy Institute in Washington. “Even in countries that are paying immigrants to leave, such as Japan, the Czech Republic and Spain, the immigrants are not taking them up on these offers to (go home).”
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