Current Events > Illegal Immigrant a Stereotype?

(+) Yeah! (+)

It has been pointed out that illegal immigrants can also be Asian. I wonder if they can also be Canadian, Australian or European. It is easy enough to come here on a student or tourist visa.

If so I would be interested in hearing some anecdotes.


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One of the biggest illegal immigrant populations is Russia, they come over on visa or vacation and just stay here.

Eramir posted...

One of the biggest illegal immigrant populations is Russia, they come over on visa or vacation and just stay here.

That's the majority of the illegal immigrant population, most get here by airplane and just stay here.

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Most "illegal immigrants" did not get here by hopping the southern border. Visa overstays amount for over 60% of undocumented immigrants iirc.
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Eramir posted...

One of the biggest illegal immigrant populations is Russia, they come over on visa or vacation and just stay here.

A lot of Hispanics do that as well

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I've seen this come up in sitcoms a few times, but it's notable how differently it's treated when the illegals are from anglophone countries.

In The Office (UK) Dawn, the equivalent of Pam, moves to the US and overstays her visa, becoming illegal.

And in Frasier, Daphne accidentally crosses over into Canada, breaking the conditions of her visa, thus becoming illegal.

Both instances are laughed off and basically cause no drama.

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It becomes associated with a certain people because the same imagery is used when taking about illegal immigrants. It's deliberate.
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