Unauthorized Immigration/Irregular Migration
Explore all research, analysis, commentary, and data on unauthorized immigrants and irregular migrants, terms used in different parts of the world to describe the individuals who lack the right to reside legally in their country of destination, as well as the policies and enforcement practices affecting them.
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Reflections on Restoring Integrity to the United States Immigration System: A Personal Vision
The 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act failures suggest durable U.S. immigration reform requires enforcing laws, expanding visas, and creating a fair path to earned legal status.
The "Regularization" Option in Managing Illegal Migration More Effectively: A Comparative Perspective
Regularization programs alone cannot solve unauthorized migration, but "earned" legalization paired with enforcement and expanded legal channels can play a meaningful role.
Immigration Reform Bill and DHS Restructuring Focus on Enforcement and Facilitation
A U.S. Senate bill introduced July 19, 2005, pairs $12 billion in new enforcement with a temporary worker program requiring migrants to apply from abroad.
Lessons From The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986
While the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act was a landmark effort to achieve comprehensive immigration reform, its key design and implementation failures offer lasting lessons.
Independent Task Force on Immigration and America's Future: The Roadmap
This roadmap for MPI's Task Force on Immigration and America’s Future lists where immigration policy is failing and details rule of law, security, economy, and integration reforms.
Twilight Statuses: A Closer Examination of the Unauthorized Population
Up to 1.5 million unauthorized immigrants held legally recognized “twilight" statuses as of 2005, conferring some protection from deportation but no pathway to permanence.
Revisiting the Need for Appointed Counsel
Lack of appointed counsel for noncitizens in deportation proceedings harms case outcomes. This policy brief examines three low-cost models to expand legal representation.
Assessing the Tsunami's Effects on Migration
The December 2004 tsunami reshaped migration in Asia, leaving unauthorized workers without aid, mobilizing diaspora support, and halting deportations to affected nations.
Observations on Regularization and the Labor Market Performance of Unauthorized and Regularized Immigrants
Regularization can raise wages and boost formal employment, but success hinges on program design and whether host-country labor markets can absorb newly legal workers.
Evaluating Enhanced U.S. Border Enforcement
Tripling U.S. border enforcement spending since 1993 did not deter significant unauthorized migration, but did have several unintended consequences.