Summary

U.S. Immigration problems are described in this summary of six GAO reports. The adverse social and economic impact of illegal immigration should be curbed. Many aliens are here illegally, having entered covertly or having violated the conditions of entry, or are students working or not leaving on time. Current laws tend to encourage such activity and are ineffective in dealing with employment problems. Smuggling and other illicit entry schemes are undermining policy. Aliens smuggled in are often mistreated by their smugglers. Although Congress, the State Department and the Immigration and Naturalization Service have begun to revise policy, much more needs to be done quickly.