An illegal immigrant (termed illegal alien by many) 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 liberal immigration policies - that is, more rights for 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 "illegal" to short-out the phrase "illegal aliens" or "illegal immigrants."

It is estimated that over 85% of US crop workers are without valid legal status. The penalties against employers were rarely enforced under the Bush administration-which meant that employers could freely use illegal immigrant labor.

The immigration of people without proper 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.

Immigrants without proper legal status.

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 controversial alternative to fake IDs is the Matricula Consular ID being used in the US, which is issued by Mexican consulates. In the US, the 14th Amendment requires that citizenship be granted to all children born in the country. Immigration reductionists refer to children of families with mixed immigration status as anchor babies.

A perception exists among some parts of the public in receiving countries linking illegal (or even legal) immigrants to crime increases. Those who favor more liberal immigration policies claim that 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.

There are also illegal emigrants.

There are also illegal emigrants. During the Cold War, and even today, many totalitarian nations prohibit freedom of emigration. The Berlin Wall was the site of many fatal attempts to leave a country, and defection was a common concern.