The Shadow of the Law

For illegal aliens, life in a new land is mostly one of poverty, anxiety and loneliness

No one knows exactly how many illegal immigrants are in the U.S. The Immigration and Naturalization Service estimate is 3.2 million, with an additional 200,000 to 300,000 arriving each year. Most come from the Third World -- the list is topped by Mexico, followed by sizable minorities from El Salvador, Guatemala and Haiti -- but Canada and Poland also contribute a good share. The illegals cross the porous border from Baja California, heading north to Los Angeles, where the wages are relatively high and the questions relatively few. They come from China, in coffin ships like the Golden Venture, in quest...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!