The economic downturn had a strong impact on immigration, James Hughes, dean of the Rutgers Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy.
“There were issues with jobs that convinced some people not to come,” he said. “And the housing market bubble and drop affected a lot of Latino workers.”
Since recent immigrants tend to attract more relatives and friends to a certain area, high unemployment has led them to tell others to stay home, MacInnes said.