The number of illegal immigrants in the United States plunged by nearly a million last year, partly because the troubled economy made it harder to find jobs.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security says beefed-up enforcement efforts, especially along the Mexican border, also helped reduce the number of illegal aliens.
Federal officials say the undocumented immigrant population fell to 10.8 million last year, down from 11.6 million in 2008. In California, the number dropped by 250,000 to 2.6 million.
Naturally, all sides of the immigration debate are trying to spin these new numbers. The Los Angeles Times has the full story here.
- Our pals James Fossen and Lisa Redden will be guest bartenders at Maritime Seafood and Grill TONIGHT. Michael Powell will provide the music. Maybe we’ll see you there.
- An Alert Reader sent in this little nugget: A fire station in Maryland was buried under so much snow that the roof collapsed. The collapse ruptured a gas pipe, which started a fire. The three-alarm fire burned up the fire station. Fortunately, the firehouse was empty at the time — the firefighters were out on a call. Full blizzard story here.
- Seems Like an Insult: The control panel for our swimming pool equipment keeps flashing this message: “PUMP OFF.”
- DVDs I’ve Watched on the Dreadmill: “Bad Timing,” a 1980 erotic thriller starring Theresa Russell, Art Garfunkel and Harvey Keitel. Could’ve been titled “Bad Acting” or “Bad Editing.” There’s not enough bleach in the world to remove from my brain the image of Art Garfunkel naked.
- Rules For Successful Living #39: Get down from there.
A journalist since 1975, Steve Brewer is the author of 16 books, most recently the thriller “Cutthroat.” He moved to Redding from New Mexico in 2003.
