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Illegal Immigrants Having More Kids in US

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 14, 2009 8:13 PM CDT

(Newser) – The number of children born to illegal immigrants is rising rapidly, a new study says, raising a host of economic and social concerns. The number of such children rose from 2.7 million in 2003 to 4 million last year, the Washington Post reports. More than a third of the children live in poverty, about twice the rate of other US kids.

In addition, 25% of the children of illegal immigrants go without health insurance, compared to 8% of kids of US-born parents, says the Pew Research Center. Children of illegals now make up about 7% of the school population, suggesting the impact of the spike will be felt for some time. All babies born on US soil are automatically granted citizenship.

The number of children born to illegal immigrants is rising. (Shutter Stock)

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Showing 3 of 6 comments

riffran

Apr 16, 2009 4:53 AM CDT

wow...kokuaguy...you nailed right on the head...especialy on the "semantics".....Remove the incentive or "magnet" . I have immigrant friends from Mexico, Peurto Rico, England, Russia....ALL without exception bring a wonderfull diversity, and different perspectives on things,....But they are here as legal immigrants.....I am all for LEGAL IMMIGRATION

Mad

Apr 15, 2009 10:16 AM CDT

One simple solution would to add a line to the INS code: "...born on American soil, and at least one parent is already a citizen..."

riffran

Apr 15, 2009 7:24 AM CDT

Illegals are well known (along the border towns) for risking the lives of the mother and the baby crossing over to get into the ER, specificaly for having an "anchor baby"...and to exploit the system...but what do ya do?...To turn them away when they are about to crown is unacceptable,and inhumane......The policy needs a real overhaul.....

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Washington Post (Source Grid »)

immigration • illegal immigrant • immigration reform • children • immigration services

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For Illegals, No More Mr. Nice Border Patrol

'Consequence delivery system' won't just turn border crossers around

(NEWSER) - Up until recently, if you were caught crossing the border illegally into Douglas, Ariz., Border Patrol would give you a sandwich and some orange juice—and drive you right back to Mexico. Not anymore. The US Border Patrol is changing its policy, instituting a new "Consequence Delivery System" that will dictate the handling of illegal immigrants, and almost none will be turned politely around and sent on their way, the AP reports. More»

Hire Local? Farmers Who Seek US Workers Hit Hard

Even with high unemployment, Americans walk off too-hard job

(NEWSER) - John Harold is trying to do the right thing when it comes to harvesting his 1,000-acre Colorado farm, by hiring only legal foreign workers and, this summer, offering more positions to unemployed locals. But “it didn’t take me six hours to realize I’d made a heck of a mistake,” Harold tells the New York Times . That's how long it took for the local workers he'd hired to start walking off the job, many because the work was too hard. Harold salvaged his season only by rushing in new workers from Mexico. More»

Alabama Enacts Harshest Illegal Immigration Law Yet

Arizona, eat your heart out

(NEWSER) - Arizona’s controversial SB 1070 law has nothing on the sweeping law Alabama Governor Robert Bentley signed yesterday. HB 56 prevents illegal immigrants from going to college, applying for jobs, or renting apartments, the LA Times reports. It requires anyone registering to vote to pass a citizenship check. And, like Arizona’s law, it requires police to check suspects’ immigration status if there’s a “reasonable suspicion” they’re an immigrant. In addition, K-12 teachers are required to determine which students are illegal immigrants, though only for statistical purposes. More»

US Court Upholds Block on Ariz. Immigration Law

Backs lower court that staved off key parts

(NEWSER) - A US appeals court today ruled that key parts of Arizona's controversial immigration law will remain blocked, reports the Washington Post, “Arizona has attempted to hijack a discretionary role that Congress delegated to the Executive,’’ read the majority opinion in the 2-1 decision, which ordered only that the lower court's block should be upheld, and didn't touch the constitutionality of the law. A Justice Department spokesman said they were "pleased with the court’s decision;" Justice will proceed in its attempt to repeal the entire law. More»

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But will he be in character at immigration hearing?

(NEWSER) - Stephen Colbert is getting serious tomorrow. Or not. The Comedy Central host will testify before Congress during a hearing on immigration , alongside United Farm Workers president Arturo Rodriguez, who appeared on his show in July. Rodriguez talked to Colbert about the UFW’s “Take Our Jobs” campaign, which invited Americans to work on farms in an effort to highlight the fact that undocumented immigrants aren’t actually taking jobs away from Americans, the Huffington Post reports. More»

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Illegal Immigrants Having More Kids in US

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immigration • illegal immigrant • immigration reform • children • immigration services

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For Illegals, No More Mr. Nice Border Patrol

'Consequence delivery system' won't just turn border crossers around

Hire Local? Farmers Who Seek US Workers Hit Hard

Even with high unemployment, Americans walk off too-hard job

Alabama Enacts Harshest Illegal Immigration Law Yet

Arizona, eat your heart out

US Court Upholds Block on Ariz. Immigration Law

Backs lower court that staved off key parts

Colbert to Testify Before Congress

But will he be in character at immigration hearing?

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Illegal Immigrants Having More Kids in US

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

immigration • illegal immigrant • immigration reform • children • immigration services

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

For Illegals, No More Mr. Nice Border Patrol

'Consequence delivery system' won't just turn border crossers around

Hire Local? Farmers Who Seek US Workers Hit Hard

Even with high unemployment, Americans walk off too-hard job

Alabama Enacts Harshest Illegal Immigration Law Yet

Arizona, eat your heart out

US Court Upholds Block on Ariz. Immigration Law

Backs lower court that staved off key parts

Colbert to Testify Before Congress

But will he be in character at immigration hearing?

About Us

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Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

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More News

What is Newser?