Many undocumented migrants entered the country where they are regularly, explains Michele LeVoy, Director of the Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants. They became undocumented for reasons beyond their control. Their work permit might have expired. They may have come on a spouse-dependant visa, and the relationship broke down due to violence. Or perhaps they were born undocumented because their parents are undocumented.

One of the most common issues undocumented migrants face is that they can’t access services such as healthcare or education for fear of deportation. Their fragile situation has been compounded by COVID-19, as they are excluded from social protection measures on which many of us rely during the pandemic.

“The policy failures that have created irregular migration need to be addressed,” says LeVoy. “A lot of this is centered around how labor migration and family reunification are currently structured. We need to have a much more in-depth perspective in looking at what is causing people to become undocumented. And try to find the appropriate remedies, including regularization.”