Migration: Illegal But Integral to Economy

Europeans often blame illegal immigrants for a number of social ills, including high rates of crime and unemployment. Yet “people with irregular status” are the invisible bedrock for many social institutions in the developed world, suggests this article in Terraviva Europe. Without the work of illegal immigrants from Africa, Asia and parts of Eastern Europe in fundamental sectors like healthcare and education, global cities like London would "stop,” explains one advocate for immigrant labor. Governments mislead their citizens by failing to acknowledge the contributions of immigrant workers. British plans to establish identity cards to check illegal workers will pose enforcement headaches – and could even expose labor gaps and the need for additional workers. – YaleGlobal