Report: Undocumented immigrants declined for first time since 2009

The number of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. fell for the first time since 2009, according to a study released Tuesday.

The nonpartisan Pew Research Center found 11 million people lived in the U.S. without documentation in 2015, down from 11.3 million in 2009. The drop is largely happening among Mexicans, whose numbers have gone from 6.4 million to 5.6 million during the same period.

“I think that kind of contradicts the rhetoric that we are hearing that all undocumented immigrants are Mexican. We know that that’s not the reality,” said Salinas immigration attorney Magnolia Zarraga.

Zarraga said the White House should take a look at this study, which appeared to show the borders are secure.

“The main misconception in the community or in the public eye is that our boarders are not secure,” Zarraga said. “I’ve been around for eight years, and there has been more and more security at our southern border.”

Bay Area attorney Yemi Getachew said comprehensive immigration reform is better than a wall.

“We need to get beyond wasting money. We need to get beyond this idea that you want to throw red meat to a base on something that’s senseless,” Getachew said.

Pew didn’t give specific reasons supporting the decline, but Getachew said people seeking legal status might have something to do with it.

“All of my colleagues and I have seen a surge of people who are looking to us to seek ways of adjusting status and becoming legal in the United States,” Getachew said.

Marina resident Kimberly Pimheiro said there should be a path to citizenship.

“My great grandparents were from Italy and Europe, so that’s how we got here and if they want to cross the line for a better life, to feed their family, I think that’s OK,” Pimheiro said.