Well, Color Me Surprised!

According to the AP:

The pace of illegal immigration to the United States has increased despite tighter security measures and it generally parallels the pace of economic growth and the availability of jobs, a report said Tuesday.

The report by the Pew Hispanic Center also found that the stronger security steps since the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 have had the effect of reducing legal immigration.

I'd be tempted to file this report under "No S***, Sherlock" and be done with it, if it weren't for the blithe and faulty assumption that the United States has tightened its immigration laws since 9/11. Should you feel tempted to contest such a claim, I refer you to Michelle Malkin, who has written tirelessly about the Bush administration and Congress's refusal to crack down on illegal immigration.

There's no need to poll the obvious: When you refuse to deter illegal immigration, you encourage it.