Illegal immigration down in U.S.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - New census data released Thursday suggests that there has been a drop in illegal immigration.

According to the data, the number of illegal immigrants in the U.S. dropped to an estimated 11.1 million last year. That’s a substantial drop from a peak of 12 million in 2007.

Experts say illegal immigration from Latin America isn't likely to reach its mid-2000’s peak again. Demographers say the drop is partly because of stronger enforcement, but many people think it's because of the economy.

“When the economy gets better, they'll want to come back again. When there's no work, what are they going to do? They don't have any family here, some of them do,” Donald Dinnie of Chicopee said.

80% of illegal immigration comes from Mexico or other countries in Latin America.