NORMAN — A report from the Pew Center suggests the United States’ population of undocumented immigrants has declined. Nationally, it is estimated there are about 7.8 million illegal immigrants with about 60,000 in Oklahoma in 2009.
The state’s numbers are up about 5,000 over 2008 estimates and an Associated Press report suggests migration from Texas may be impacting the state’s numbers.
The national dip is the first reversal in the growth in the illegal immigrant population in 20 years. It could be reflective of the labor market as many come here looking for work and could be an increase in deportations.
A scholar at the Brookings Institution, writing in USA Today this week, said the government deports about 350,000 annually. Since 1999, more than 2.2 million people have been sent home.
Darrell M. West, Brookings’ vice president of governance, addressed seven myths of the immigration debate. On taxes, he said a large number of undocumented workers pay income, Social Security and Medicare taxes as well as sales and property taxes.
One study found they pay $162 billion in federal, state and local taxes. Another researcher estimated the average illegal immigrant paid in $1,800 more in taxes than they received in government benefits.
Mr. West also writes that polling data indicates 63 percent of Americans surveyed favor a “path to citizenship” for illegal immigrants. Conditions include a background check, a monetary fine and employment.
