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It is estimated that over 50% of US crop workers are illegal immigrants.
People who are persecuted in their original country and then enter a country seeking safety are often said to be refugees or "seeking asylum". Some of those who are opposed to strict policies on immigration characterize all illegal immigrants as legitimate refugees (economical refugees), not limiting the term to political refugees.
Illegal immigration is largely driven by economic forces, especially unemployment and globalization. Wars, repression and sexism also expel migrants.
In some areas like the Mexican-American border at Rio Grande, the Strait of Gibraltar, Fuerteventura and the Strait of Otranto, people smugglers receive money from migrants to get them in the rich country. Sometimes, the migrants are abandoned if there are difficulties, often dying in the struggle.
Immigrants try to find a job on the informal economy. They may end in ethnic mafias. Part of the opinion of receiving countries link illegal (or even legal) immigrants to perceived crime increases. This opinion may lead to xenophobia. When the authorities are overwhelmed in their efforts to stop immigration, they may issue periods of regularization for those who can proof their integration in the receiving country.
Since illegal immigrants don't have identity cards, they may have reduced or even no access to public health systems, proper housing, education and banks. Yet many of them use forged documents to gain access to these priveleges.