US report rejects Mexican immigration

A new report in the United States suggests that Mexican immigration has had a negative impact on the overall American economy.

The study, carried out by a conservative think-tank the Centre for Immigration Studies, concluded that Mexican immigrants and their descendants had caused a large increase in US welfare spending because most of them lacked medical insurance.

It also says the immigration of unskilled workers has contributed to keep wages down for at least ten million Americans.

The report recommends that the US government takes strong measures to curb illegal immigration from Mexico.

Pro-immigration groups have strongly criticised the report, saying it gives a distorted view of the situation.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service