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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Showing 771–780 of 793 results

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.

Regularizing Immigrants in Spain: A New Approach

Spain's 2005 regularization drew nearly 700,000 applications, making it the broadest yet.

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.

Unauthorized Migrants Living in the United States: A Mid-Decade Portrait

Unauthorized immigrants in the United States were estimated to number 10.3 million in 2004.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Department of Homeland Security's First Year: A Report Card on Immigration

One year in, the Department of Homeland Security showed real gains in border and interior enforcement. But its promise was hampered by case backlogs and poor internal coordination.