Slow economy takes a toll on immigrants

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The slow economy is impacting immigrants who are here to help their families back home.

The Bank of Mexico says the amount of money being sent to Mexico from the U.S. is dropping at the fastest rate ever recorded.

"A lot of immigrants live here, obviously. They work hard for their money. But they also help their families down at home. It's having a huge impact," said Tony Yapias with Proyecto Latino de Utah.

According to Yapias, local Latino business owners say profits are down 15 percent, and other immigrants are having problems getting jobs, especially in the construction business.

The Bank of Mexico says in August, $1.9 billion was sent to Mexico. That's a drop from $2.2 billion a year ago.

Some say stepped up immigration enforcement by the U.S. government along with record deportations have added to the drop in money being sent to Latin America.

E-mail: rjeppesen@ksl.com