Illegal Immigration

Report Outline
Impact of Illegal Aliens in U.S.
Approaches to Immigration Problems
Search for Realistic Solutions
Special Focus

Impact of Illegal Aliens in U.S.

Explosive Growth in Clandestine Immigration

Changes in U.S. immigration law due to take effect Jan. I will impose the most severe restrictions in history on legal immigration into the United States from other countries of the Western Hemisphere. For the first time, each of these countries will have a quota of 20,000 U.S.-bound emigrants each year. In addition, a preference system already in effect for the Eastern Hemisphere will be applied in this part of the world. The preferences favor close relatives of U.S. residents, refugees, and professionals and skilled workers.

The changes are intended to put the residents of this hemisphere on an equal footing with the rest of the world. Ironically the changes are expected to worsen, rather than ease, this nation's mounting immigration woes, especially the problems caused by the tide of illegal aliens. Illegal immigration into the United States has been increasing rapidly throughout the past decade. In 1965, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) apprehended 110,371 illegal aliens; 1974 apprehensions had increased sevenfold to 788,145. In 1975, the total declined slightly to 766,600. By far the largest number of illegal aliens were clandestine border crossers, called EWIs (Entered Without Inspection) by the Immigration Service. In 1975, 87 per cent of those apprehended were EWIs. Other categories included visitors who had overstayed their visas, crewmen who had jumped ship, and students who had taken jobs or violated other provisions of their entry permits.

In the past several years, according to a study recently conducted for the Department of Labor, there has been an “explosive increase” in the amount of immigration—both legal and illegal—from Mexico and other countries of the Western Hemisphere. Current immigration law permits 120,000 persons from this hemisphere to enter the country each year as resident aliens. Many times that number apply for admission. As a result, Latin American applicants face waiting periods of up to three years or more before gaining admission to the United States. In addition, many prospective immigrants must secure certification from the Department of Labor that they are not likely to displace U.S. residents from their jobs. Because of the difficulty of immigrating legally, millions of Mexicans, West Indians and Canadians enter and stay in this country by clandestine methods.