You have probably heard plenty about undocumented immigrants on the news. Every time you see a new story, you may find yourself wondering about the logistics of being undocumented in the United States. Where do they live? Where do they work? How do they do any of this without the proper paperwork?
While every story is different, reports have shown that the most common industries where you will find undocumented immigrants are manufacturing, construction and agriculture. There are many jobs available, immigrants are often able to get them even without citizenship, and these jobs often require skills that the immigrants already have.
As for where they live, many of them simply live with other members of their families. Perhaps a family member immigrated legally 10 years ago, for instance, and is already a citizen. That makes it easier for this person to have a solid footing in California, including housing, and undocumented relatives may come join them on the American side of the border.
It is also important to note that when looking at couples, one person may be undocumented while the other is not. The second spouse may have immigrated legally in the past or may have been born in the United States. Do not assume that every family with an undocumented member is completely undocumented. There is often a mix, and that makes these situations very complex as different statuses have the potential to drive families apart when undocumented members face deportation or imprisonment.
As such, it is very important for all immigrants to fully understand their rights and the legal steps they need to take.
