A person residing in any country illegally is known as an "illegal immigrant." Some illegals enter the US illegally whereas others, though they enter legally, they overstay the number of days permitted on their visa or infringe the terms of their green card or refugee permit. They move to the US in search of a better life.

Some immigrants leave their country because of certain political/economic reasons. Persons wish to immigrate to the US as it is technologically advanced, has greater resources and provides plentiful opportunities. Children born in the US to illegal immigrants automatically gain American citizenship.

Illegal immigrants get their "illegal" status by entering the US illegally. There is an indefinitely greater number of ways that immigrants cross the border to get into the US. Those from the Caribbean often cross the Atlantic Ocean to reach US. Some immigrants from South America may get into Mexico and get the assistance of a smuggler or others to help them cross the border illegally into the US.

Shipping containers, trucks, or boxcars are also used by certain illegals to cross the border into the US . With increased security measures and much improved technology, it becomes even more difficult to cross the border and avoid being detected. Immigrants actually try numerous times before successfully crossing the border.

Once the illegals get into the US, they tend to get employed in "low skilled jobs." These low skilled jobs are labor intensive and don't draw many employees. Construction sectors provide lot of opportunities as there is generally no sound requirement. Restaurants, hospitality, prostitution, agriculture and domestic service are other sectors where illegal immigrants are prominent. Though there is a general perception that illegal immigrants only take on the jobs that residents or US citizens refuse, in fact take away jobs in general.

Though US laws strictly prohibit employers from hiring illegal immigrants, some employers tend to take advantage of an employee's "undocumented" status. The employer has an advantage where he can pay the illegal immigrant lesser than what the federal law requires. Also, they do not worry about human rights violations with illegal immigrants as they will not report their employer because they fear they might be deported. Though there are penalties for employers who hire illegal immigrants, they are not always imposed.

Off late, there was a significant change in immigration enforcement and it is commendable as companies face stiffer penalties and are bound to get negative publicity for hiring illegal workers. Young girls fall prey at times. They tend to get job offers from a foreign country and think the job offers great financial opportunities. And because of their bad economic situation back home, they take up this job offer. However, only after arriving in the foreign country, they come to know that they were brought into the country for the purpose of prostitution. With no where to go for help, and miles away from their country, they become victims to this trade. For many of them, it is a way of getting out of poverty. Though on a smaller scale in the US, this problem is in higher numbers in the Middle East and Europe.

Illegals seem to forget the benefits of a legal stay in the US. They forget that if in legal status, they can get a green card that will enable them to live and work in the US permanently. Later, they might also qualify for citizenship and can apply for through Form N-400, the citizenship form.

Some illegals enter the US illegally whereas others, though they enter legally, they overstay the number of days permitted on their visa or infringe the terms of their green card or refugee permit.