In the US, the economy is suffering a recession. Households are defaulting on their mortgages and subprime mortgage industry problems are spilling into other aspects of consumer economy. Dafaulting on Auto loans, credit cards, bank accounts - these things contribute to a slowing economy.

Let's face it, when you have trouble paying your bills and money is in short supply, your buying power slows down - the economy slows down too. That's probably why immigrant petition papers in the...