Fewer Arrest at the Border

The number of arrests of those trying to cross the U.S.-Mexican border without legal authorization has dropped dramatically last year to levels not seen since the 1970s. In large measure it results from tougher border patrolling and enforcement -- the number had been declining for a few years -- but has accelerated with the economic recession. The decline has been about 25% in the last year. This is taken by experts to indicate that the number of illegal entries has declined proportionately. Even the Mexican border towns feel the decline. There are fewer prospective bordercrossers sleeping over night in the central plaza, and many of those are going back home. (See Los Angeles Times article.)