DENVER (AP) -- The traditional holiday migration for many Mexican nationals living in Colorado is different this year.

Some say they have no intention of returning to Colorado, citing layoffs, dwindling job opportunities, and a perceived anti-immigrant sentiment.

Mexico's consul general in Denver, Eduardo Arnal, says proof that more people are going home for good is in the rise in applications by Mexican nationals wanting to take all their belongings home without being taxed. The consulate says it now receives about three applications a day, compared to one per week in 2007.

Nationally, applications for the exemption rose more than 25 percent this year.

That's hardly an indicator of a reverse migration trend, noted Carlos Rico, Mexico's undersecretary for North American affairs. However, Rico says there is proof that some Mexicans are moving to other states -- often places that historically have not seen a large population of Mexicans. Rico says they include North Carolina, Georgia, Idaho and Alaska.