Illegal immigration to South Africa

Illegal immigration to South Africa refers to migration of foreign nationals to South Africa without the authorisation of the South African authorities. A range of estimates of the size of the population of irregular migrants in South Africa exist, but these have been described as inaccurate. The use of the term "irregular", as opposed to "illegal", is the accepted academic terminology.

Profile and demographics
See also: Immigration to South Africa

No accurate estimates of the number of undocumented migrants living in South Africa exist.[1] Estimates that have been published vary widely. According to Statistics South Africa's 2011 census, 6.2 million foreigners live in South Africa,[2] and the organisation's 2015 estimate places the number of undocumented migrants between 1 200 000 and 1 500 000 undocumented migrants.[3] A large number of Zimbabweans have fled to South Africa as a result of instability in Zimbabwe, with many living as undocumented migrants in South Africa.[1][4]

Impacts

Xenophobia
Main article: Xenophobia in South Africa

Sociologist Alice Bloch notes that migrants in South Africa have been the victims of xenophobia and violence, regardless of their immigration status.[4]

Refugees from poorer neighbouring countries include many immigrants from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi and others, representing a large portion of the informal sector. With high unemployment levels amongst poorer South Africans, xenophobia[5] is prevalent and many South Africans feel resentful of immigrants who are seen to be depriving the native population of jobs, a feeling which has been given credibility by the fact that many South African employers have employed migrants from other countries for lower pay than South African citizens, especially in the construction, tourism, agriculture and domestic service industries. Illegal immigrants are also heavily involved in informal trading.[6] However, many immigrants to South Africa continue to live in poor conditions, and the South African immigration policy has become increasingly restrictive since 1994.[7]

References
  1. Chiumia, Sintha (5 November 2013). "How many Zimbabweans live in South Africa? The numbers are unreliable". Africa Check. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  2. Wilkinson, Kate (15 July 2015). "New York Times & others STILL wrong on number of immigrants in S. Africa". Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  3. Mwiti, Lee (22 April 2015). "Seven of the biggest myths about South Africa and xenophobia - and how they drive attacks". Mail & Guardian Africa. Archived from the original on 28 April 2015. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  4. Bloch, Alice. "The Right to Rights? Undocumented Migrants from Zimbabwe Living in South Africa". Sociology. 44 (2): 233–250. doi:10.1177/0038038509357209.
  5. "Unwanted African immigrants in South Africa", Radio Netherlands Archives, June 9, 2004
  6. "African Security Review Vol 5 No 4, 1996: Strategic Perspectives on Illegal Immigration into South Africa". Archived from the original on 19 October 2005.
  7. "Queens College: The Brain Gain: Skilled Migrants and Immigration Policy in Post-Apartheid South Africa". Archived from the original on 25 November 2005.


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