BRIEFING NOTES ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

By: Alonette S. Ragodo

What is illegal immigration?

Illegal immigration is the act of moving to or settling in another country or region, temporarily or
permanently, in violation of the law or without documents permitting an immigrant to settle in that
country.

Important terms:
1.PRUCOL-aliens Permanently residing under the color of law, status appealing for and adjustments of
status as refugee, or awaiting hearings to decide status and disposition. Includes parents who are
undeported due to the citizenship of their children.
2. Anchor babies-children of family with mixed immigration status
3. Coyotes- people smugglers along the U.S.Mexican Border
4. Snakeheads-gang of Fujian China smuggling labor in the Pacific Rim
5. NAFTA –North America Free Trade Agreement
6. CAFTA- Central American Free Trade Agreement

Legal And Political Status

 One maybe permitted to enter/permitted to stay based on quotas and point system and other
considerations such as family ties
 Reasons for restricting: claim for nativism:economic fears of union busting: desire not to waste
the country's resources on citizens of foreign countries:security interests.
Background
 Chinese in British North America (the area that has become Canada) could be
traced back in 1788

 In 1930’s and 1940’s illegal immigration grew enormously when Hitler came to
power in Germany. Hence, Berlin Wall was erected to prevent transfer/defection of Germans from
East to West.

 During the Cold War (1947-1991) immigration and emigration is prohibited. This
is one way of waging war between and among the United States and its allies and the Soviet Union
and its allies.

Before 9/11
There was an on going negotiation between Mexico and US to grant legal status to 3 million Mexicans
in the US illegally. The Bush administration appeared to be interested in pursuing the ideas until the
terrorist attack on 9/11

After 9/11
 U.S. increased number of Border Patrol agents along the southern border dramatically to almost
10,000.
 DEA, (Drug Enforcement Administration) FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) and CIA
operation were installed to watch for illegal immigrants crossing border that Mexico and through which
people from Central and South American along with India and China cross on their way to the U.S.

 Enactment of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004

  Today, Current Population Survey reveals that US Illegal immigrants stood at 10
million in 2004 and 60 to 70 % are Mexicans.
 Canada has also emerged as a preferred destination in the human smuggling
marketplaces. Data revealed that from 1997 through 2002, 14,792 people reached Canada illegally.

Integrated enforcement measures vs. Illegal immigration

 Canada-U.S. Border Management

 The Global Programme against Trafficking in Human Beings (GPAT,1999) was designed by the UN
Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in collaboration with the United Nations Interregional Crime and
Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) .

 In Canada, the principal border organizations are the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP),
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), and Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA).
Integrated Border Enforcement Teams (IBETs), which are interagency law enforcement teams, were
established in 1997. There are also Integrated Marine Enforcement Teams operating.

Compliance measures vs. Illegal immigration

 USA ID Act of 2005 prohibits States from issuing identification/driver’s permit cards to anyone who
cannot demonstrate that they are legally in the USA.
 The USA Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA) made the hiring of an illegal alien
an offense for the first time.
 Creation of a robust middle class, one of NAFTA’s goals. This would stop the flood of illegal
immigration from Mexico.
 Creation of economic opportunities to the south, one of CAFTA’s goals. This will help stem the tide
of illegal immigrants from entering US looking for jobs.

Other Considerations
 Brain Drain- professional classes leave in larger numbers leaving in their home country less skilled labor
force
 Remittances of illegal immigrants can boost the economic situation of an illegal immigrant’s country of
origin
 Dangers of illegal immigration which lead to death of illegal immigrants
 Underground economy
 Security issues, if illegal immigration is unsolved it will be a great threat to a nations security
Conclusions
 Not so much integration, other countries are uncooperative, they sometimes condone this for their own
benefit.
 International agreements are more focused on trade, measures against illegal immigration are not so
much of a priority
 Integration in countries is sometimes piecemeal, lacking a national comprehensive strategy

Recommendations
 International Integrated Policy against Illegal Immigration
 Public dissemination of the requirements to legally enter into a particular country
 Public Information on the dangers and prosecution of illegal immigrants
 ID System in respective countries that will easily track down facilitators of illegal immigrants
 More diplomatic efforts among the countries to legalized/grant amnesties to illegal immigrants
References
www.alipac.us/modules.php?nameretrievedOctober25,2005
www.house.gov/garymiller/MillerSupportsCAFTA.html retrieved October 25, 2005
http://www.ripoff.org/ retrieved October 25, 2005
http://www.ctv.ca/ retrieved October 25, 2005
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_11,_2001_attacks/ retrieved October 25, 2005
http://www.time.com/time/photoessays/shattered/8.html retrieved October 26, 2005
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2225.html retrieved October 26, 2005