By the Numbers

26.2

Percent of new private sector job growth that has come in the form of temporary jobs

$1 billion

Cost to date of the “virtual fence” the Homeland Security Department erected along the Mexico border, a project cancelled this month because it proved ineffective

53

Miles that the fence covered

20,500

Border patrol agents deployed on the Mexico-United States border, up from 10,000 in 2004

463,000

Illegal crossers detained in 2009

724,000

Illegal border crossers detained in 2008

800

People being laid off by Massachusetts based Evergreen Solar, which is moving its operations to China, citing higher government support

66

Percent drop in world prices for solar panels since 2007

7.6

Percent increase in the number of people over age 55 in the workforce from 2007 – 2010

Sources: New York Times; United States Department of Labor