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'''Illegal aliens''' are people who immigrate into a country without having proper documentation or approval by the country in question. Some aliens cross the border secretly; the majority arrive legally but overstay their visas.

'''Illegal aliens''' are people who immigrate into a [[country]] without having proper documentation or approval by the country in question. Some [[alien]]s cross the border secretly; the majority arrive legally but overstay their [[visa]]s.

Mexican nationals make up the majority of recent illegal aliens in the United States.

[[Mexico|Mexican]] nationals make up the majority of recent illegal aliens in the [[United States]].

Most experts estimate a total of about 12 million foreigners without legal status in the United States--although no one knows for sure).  The Pew Hispanic Center in 2005 estimated that in 2004 13.9 million people lived in families in which the head is an unauthorized migrant. Of those individuals, some 3.2 million are US citizens by birth but are living in "mixed status" families in which a parent is unauthorized.<ref> See  Passel (2005).</ref>   

Most experts estimate a total of about 12 million foreigners without legal status in the United States&mdash;although no one knows for sure.  The Pew Hispanic Center in 2005 estimated that in 2004 13.9 million people lived in [[family|families]] in which the head is an unauthorized migrant. Of those individuals, some 3.2 million are US citizens by birth but are living in "mixed status" families in which a parent is unauthorized.<ref> See  Passel (2005).</ref>   

In general, illegal entry into the U.S. is a misdemeanor, not a felony.  A large fraction of the illegals were brought in as children; babies born in the U.S. to illegal parents have full U.S. citizenship status.

In general, illegal entry into the U.S. is a [[misdemeanor]], not a [[felony]].  A large fraction of the illegals were brought in as [[child]]ren; babies born in the U.S. to illegal parents have full U.S. citizenship status.

In the United States, it is illegal and punishable by the law to hire a worker without legal work authorization. Employers who break this law can face stiff fines and /or imprisonment although most conservatives would argue that the law is very infrequently enforced.

In the United States, it is illegal and punishable by the law to hire a worker without legal work authorization. Employers who break this law can face stiff fines and /or imprisonment although most conservatives would argue that the law is very infrequently enforced.

Most of the recent debate focuses on Mexican border crossers who enter the country without legal documents. Undocumented immigration is estimated to have grown from about 3.2 million in 1986 to 12 million in 2007. Since the mid-1990s, annual arrivals of unauthorized migrants have exceeded those who come under legal categories.

Most of the recent debate focuses on Mexican border crossers who enter the country without legal documents. Undocumented immigration is estimated to have grown from about 3.2 million in 1986 to 12 million in 2007. Since the mid-1990s, annual arrivals of unauthorized migrants have exceeded those who come under legal categories.

Before 1910 the majority of illegals came from China, where they obtained false documents saying they were born in the U.S. (and therefore were citizens.) After 1910 Mexicans comprised over 90% of unauthorized population until the early 1970s. However by by 2002 they made up only about half of the illegals. The next largest groups come from Central  America and South America (about 24 percent); smaller groups have arrived from Asia, Europe, and Africa.

Before 1910 the majority of illegals came from [[China]], where they obtained false documents saying they were born in the U.S. (and therefore were citizens.) After 1910 Mexicans comprised over 90% of unauthorized population until the early 1970s. However by by 2002 they made up only about half of the illegals. The next largest groups come from [[Central  America]] and [[South America]] (about 24 percent); smaller groups have arrived from [[Asia]], [[Europe]], and [[Africa]].

==Bibliography==

==Bibliography==