Illinois is one of 14 states where the population of undocumented immigrants decreased in 2012. According to the Pew Research Center, the population of undocumented immigrants throughout Illinois decreased from 500,000 in 2009 to 475,000 in 2012. However, in seven other states including Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, the population rose during the same period. Overall, the number of undocumented immigrants from 2009 to 2012 remained unchanged at 11.2 million people. This number is still lower than in 2007 when the number of unauthorized immigrants peaked at 12.2 million.

Illinois still remains one of the most populous states for undocumented immigrants. In fact, the Pew Research Center has placed Illinois as the sixth most populated state for undocumented immigrants. Illinois is behind California, Texas, Florida, New York and New Jersey. These six states comprise about 60 percent of the undocumented immigrant population in the United States.

Why the Decrease in Unauthorized Immigrants in Certain States?

According to the Pew Research Center, 13 of the 14 states experienced a decline in undocumented immigrants because of the decrease in the number of unauthorized immigrants from Mexico. In 2012, Mexican immigrants comprised 52 percent of the unauthorized immigrants in the United States. Since 2009, the number of Mexican unauthorized immigrants dropped by about half a million people. The Pew Research Center suggests two reasons for the decline: an increase in departures to Mexico and a decrease in arrivals from the country.

President Obama’s Executive Order Will Provide Relief for Undocumented Immigrants

Recently, President Obama announced several executive actions to allow certain undocumented immigrants to remain in the United States without fear of deportation. Obama’s executive action plan has two programs of note: expanding Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and creating a Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents program.

Under the expanded DACA program, the eligible population will now include young people who came to this country before turning 16 years old and have been present since January 1, 2010. Furthermore, work authorization will be extended from two to three years.

For the newly created deferred action for parents, an undocumented parent of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident will be able to apply for deferred action under certain guidelines. The parent must have resided in the United States since January 1, 2010, must be a parent of an U.S citizen or LPR on or before November 20, 2014, and must pass a background check and pay taxes.

Of the 11.2 million unauthorized immigrants, The Pew Research Center estimates that about 4 million lived with their U.S.-born children, either minors or adults, in 2012.

Contact a Chicago, Illinois Immigration Attorney

If you have any questions regarding how to take advantage of or how you may be affected by President Obama’s new immigration plan, a Chicago immigration attorney at Katz Law Office, Ltd. can help answer all your questions. Our experienced Chicago immigration attorneys provide a wide range of immigration services, including visa assistance and deportation defense. Contact one of our Chicago immigration attorneys today for a free case consultation.