New Census estimates show a significant slowing of immigration to the United States and the Washington area last year as the economy lost its footing and local law enforcement efforts gained traction.

Maryland’s immigrant growth in 2007 slowed to 1.7 percent from the year before, bringing the state’s total foreign-born population to 694,590. Between 2000 and 2006, growth was about 3.3 percent each year.

In Virginia, growth slowed to about 2.6 percent, or 794,246 foreign-born residents in 2007. Between 2000 and 2005, growth was about 3.4 percent each year.