Report: Illegal immigration population down 11 percent

WASHINGTON - A group that favors limitations on immigration says the illegal immigrant population in the U.S. is down by 11 percent over a year ago.

The Center for Immigration Studies says it based its findings on monthly Census Bureau data - and that immigration enforcement and the economy were the likely reasons.

"The evidence indicates that the illegal immigrant population may have declined by over one million in the last year," the report says. "There are strong indications immigration enforcement is responsible for at least part of the decline. The economy also is likely playing a role."

This study analysis the Current Population Survey (CPS) collected monthly by the Census Bureau.

"The findings show clear evidence that the illegal population has declined significantly," the report goes on to say. "The evidence indicates that, since hitting a peak in the summer of 2007, the illegal population may have declined by 11 percent through May of 2008. It seems that increased enforcement is at least partly responsible for this decline."