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Undocumented Workers Heading Home

By KSEE News
July 28, 2011 Updated Jul 28, 2011 at 5:51 PM PDT

Undocumented immigrants are leaving California heading to Mexico. In Fresno, the Hispanic Chamber says they are seeing the shift; many are leaving the Valley to find work.

Historically, illegal immigrants have crossed north of the border looking for work and a better life. But as Mexico’s economy improves, immigrants’ dreams are taking them home. The Mexican Government is aggressively trying to bring immigrants home. “They are looking for more business to come down to Mexico to do business with them,” says John Hernandez, Executive Director of the Central California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “We are currently working with the governor of the State of Colima to do a trade mission down to Mexico. We are also working with the Mexican Consulate.”

In Mexico health care is cheaper. It’s also easier to buy a home and find a job. “The Hispanic demographic has been hit harder than others. A lot lost their homes and their businesses,” says Hernandez.

The Public Policy Institute of California says over 250,000 unauthorized immigrants have left California in the past few years. In Fresno, there are 49,000 unauthorized immigrants; they make up 5% of the population. Many work in building construction and agriculture; two areas hit hard by the downturn in the economy. “People are going back to Mexico in many cases because there’s not enough work here in the Valley or in California”, says Hernandez.

Fresno’s unemployment rate is 16.8%, that’s three times higher than Mexico’s. Mexico’s unemployment stands at 5.4% a number that is almost half of the US national unemployment rate which stands at 9.4%.

The Hispanic Consulate says during the downturn in the economy it’s seen an increase in passport requests in the Valley. It seems many are crossing south of the border, hoping to find more opportunities at home.

As undocumented workers head back to Mexico, California is seeing a dip of tax dollars. In 2008, 51,000 undocumented workers filed a tax return in Fresno alone.

The Mexican Consulate says Mexico’s economy is benefiting from low inflation, exports and a strong banking system.

Christina Lusby Reporting.

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