EU border agency says third fewer illegal immigrants spotted in past year

Economic problems in
Europe and tougher naval patrols deterring job hunters, says Frontex

[guardian.co.uk] The number of illegal immigrants entering Europe has fallen
significantly over the past year, according to the EU’s border control
agency, Frontex.

A third fewer people were detected attempting to
cross external land and sea borders of member states in 2009, the
organisation said at a conference in Warsaw today.

The sharp
decline was attributed to the economic downturn lessening the "pull
factor" of job opportunities, and to the "strong deterrent effect" of
reinforced naval patrols in the Mediterranean around Malta and southern
Spain. (more on guardian.co.uk)