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Since we, too, are concerned with the problem of overpopulation, we began to study the migration from Mexico about two years ago. Working with Professor Loy Bilderback (of the Department of History, California State University at Fresno), we interviewed illegal immigrants, members of the Border Patrol, government officials, and academicians in both the United States and Mexico. We dug through official documents and looked at historical, cultural, and economic factors—operating on both sides of the border—that influence the flow of migrants. In addition, we studied human migration in general, in both its historic and its contemporary forms. As could probably have been predicted, we found the problems associated with illegal Mexican immigration to be astonishingly complex, and the "facts" and impressions given in the popular media to be seriously misleading.

THE FACTS BEHIND THE FIGURES

For example, the press regularly quotes estimates of this country's illegal alien population of between 8 and 12 million. It's further asserted—by the United States media—that this figure is growing by at least 800,000 individuals per year... a statistic based on the official number of illegal aliens apprehended by the Border Patrol in each of the last few years. Also, the impression given in the press is that these immigrants have come to stay and that the "pool" is rapidly growing.

However, the information we were able to gather indicates that, while a very large portion of the illegal immigrants are indeed from Mexico, most of them are temporary residents... so the large number of people apprehended at the border is not a reasonable measure of the increase in the "stock" of illegal aliens in this country.

In fact, such figures can't be counted on to provide any real reference to the scope of our illegal immigration "problem"... for several reasons.

First of all, at least 80% of bur Border Patrol is concentrated along the Mexican border... therefore, it's hardly surprising that most of the illegal aliens apprehended are Mexicans.

In addition, the INS runs what is essentially a "revolving door" along the southern border. Illegals are quickly expelled, and just as quickly return. It's quite possible for the same person to be apprehended and expelled three or four times in one week... and one individual in Texas reportedly was caught five times in one day! Thus, a figure of 800,000 apprehensions in a year certainly can't be assumed to represent the number of individuals involved.

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