Big drop in illegal immigrants

The number of undocumented residents in California last year fell by 200,000 from 2008, to 2.6 million. Nationwide, the drop was 800,000, to 10.8 million, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Earlier reports pointed to declines. The recession has played some sort of role although researchers point out that the drop in the undocumented population began before the downturn. But are the numbers declining because fewer people are entering the country or because more are leaving, either voluntarily or through deportation? (LAT)