Illegal immigration is the act of moving to a foreign country without permission from that country’s government. People who immigrate illegally are known as illegal, unauthorized, or undocumented immigrants. Such individuals live in a country without the proper immigration documents, for example visas (permits to enter or stay for a set period). If discovered, they could be deported—that is, returned to their country of origin by government officials.
People immigrate unlawfully for a number of reasons. Many are seeking better work opportunities in countries with stronger economies. Others are escaping conflict, natural disasters, persecution, or poverty in their native lands. Such people are called refugees. They may apply for asylum—that is, protection and shelter given by one nation to a person fleeing another nation. Not all unauthorized immigrants enter a country unlawfully. Some are students, temporary workers, or visitors who enter the country legally but stay after their visas expire. The nations most affected by illegal immigration are those with a high standard of living, such as the United States, Canada, and the countries of Western Europe.
In the United States, illegal immigration first became an issue in the late 1800’s, when people from China sought to enter the country despite the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. Illegal immigration increased after the passage of the Immigration Act of 1924, which limited the number of immigrants from outside the Western Hemisphere. The U.S. Border Patrol also was created in 1924 to prevent people from entering the country unlawfully. The Border Patrol catches many thousands of people trying to enter the United States illegally each year. Large numbers of unauthorized immigrants in the United States come from Mexico and Central America.
Opinions about the issue of illegal immigration differ. For example, some people do not want their taxes to pay for public services, such as education and medical care, used by unauthorized immigrants. Others note that such immigrants also pay taxes. Some people say that because unauthorized immigrants often work for low wages, employers hire them instead of hiring legal residents of a country. Others argue that unauthorized immigrants usually take jobs that legal residents do not want. Some people support special legal protection for immigrants brought to a country unlawfully as children.
