Illegal immigrant
An illegal immigrant is a term used to describe somebody who enters a country and takes up residence there without proper legal status. The status and rights of such individuals is a controversial subject that is often linked to economics and moral judgments. Those who support humane immigration policies - that is, the rights of immigrants and migrant workers - prefer to use the term "undocumented worker" or "undocumented immigrant", out of the belief that no human being is "illegal". Some people use the term illegals to short-out the phrase "illegal aliens" or "illegal immigrants."
It is estimated that over 50% of US crop workers are without valid legal status.
The immigration of people without proper legal status is largely driven by economic forces, especially unemployment and globalization. Wars, repression and sexism also expel migrants. People who are persecuted in their original country and then enter a country seeking safety are often said to be refugees or "seeking asylum". Some people characterize all immigrants without proper legal status as legitimate refugees (economical refugees), not limiting the term to political refugees.
In some areas like the Mexican-American border at Rio Grande, the Strait of Gibraltar, Fuerteventura and the Strait of Otranto, people smugglers receive money from migrants to get them into the wealthier country.
Sometimes migrants are abandoned if there are difficulties, often dying in the struggle.
Regardless of their status, immigrants try to find a job in the formal or informal economy. For example, without proper legal status, Philippe Kahn, who wanted to stay in the United States, created the successful computer software company Borland International.
Since immigrants without proper legal status have limited use of their identity cards or other official identification documents, they may have reduced or even no access to public health systems, proper housing, education and banks. The use of forged documents to gain access to these privileges is not uncommon.
A perception exists among some parts of the public in receiving countries linking illegal (or even legal) immigrants to crime increases. This type of anti-immigrant opinion may lead to xenophobia. When the authorities are overwhelmed in their efforts to stop immigration, they may issue periods of regularization for those who can demonstrate their integration into the receiving country.
See also
