The American Dream

As of January 2010, there were believed to be about 10.8 million undocumented people living in the US - down from about 11.8 million in 2007 [GALLO/GETTY]
As of January 2010, there were believed to be about 10.8 million undocumented people living in the US - down from about 11.8 million in 2007 [GALLO/GETTY]
But some experts suggest the number could, in fact, be as high as 20 million people [GALLO/GETTY]
But some experts suggest the number could, in fact, be as high as 20 million people [GALLO/GETTY]
There are an estimated 2.1 million undocumented children and young people in the US - many of these are unaware of their (***)illegal(***) status until they attempt to apply for college admission or for a driver(***)s license [GALLO/GETTY]
There are an estimated 2.1 million undocumented children and young people in the US - many of these are unaware of their (***)illegal(***) status until they attempt to apply for college admission or for a driver(***)s license [GALLO/GETTY]
The majority of the undocumented residents of the US - approximately 62% - are from Mexico [GALLO/GETTY]
The majority of the undocumented residents of the US - approximately 62% - are from Mexico [GALLO/GETTY]
Economic opportunities remain the number one reason for immigration to the US [GALLO/GETTY]
Economic opportunities remain the number one reason for immigration to the US [GALLO/GETTY]
In 2010, there were an estimated 8 million unauthorised immigrants in the US workforce [GALLO/GETTY]
In 2010, there were an estimated 8 million unauthorised immigrants in the US workforce [GALLO/GETTY]
Many immigrants living and working in the US send much of their earnings home to help support their families [GALLO/GETTY]
Many immigrants living and working in the US send much of their earnings home to help support their families [GALLO/GETTY]
In recent years there has been a national backlash against illegal immigration, perhaps most noticeably reflected in the debate surrounding the Arizona SB 1070 Act [GALLO/GETTY]
In recent years there has been a national backlash against illegal immigration, perhaps most noticeably reflected in the debate surrounding the Arizona SB 1070 Act [GALLO/GETTY]
The US border patrol currently employs more than 20,000 agents who patrol about 13,000km of land and coastal borders [GALLO/GETTY]
The US border patrol currently employs more than 20,000 agents who patrol about 13,000km of land and coastal borders [GALLO/GETTY]
From October 2004 until September 2005, 460 migrants died crossing the US-Mexico border [GALLO/GETTY]
From October 2004 until September 2005, 460 migrants died crossing the US-Mexico border [GALLO/GETTY]
Arizona is considered the most treacherous place to cross, but it is often favoured because it is remote and difficult to patrol [GALLO/GETTY]
Arizona is considered the most treacherous place to cross, but it is often favoured because it is remote and difficult to patrol [GALLO/GETTY]
But, according to the US Government Accountability Office, Mexico(***)s border with Texas is the most vulnerable [GALLO/GETTY]
But, according to the US Government Accountability Office, Mexico(***)s border with Texas is the most vulnerable [GALLO/GETTY]
According to a report by the US Government Accountability Office, the US border control caught 445,000 illegal entries in 2010 [GALLO/GETTY]
According to a report by the US Government Accountability Office, the US border control caught 445,000 illegal entries in 2010 [GALLO/GETTY]
According to a Pew report, roughly 300,000 illegal immigrants crossed the border annually between 2007 and 2009 [GALLO/GETTY]
According to a Pew report, roughly 300,000 illegal immigrants crossed the border annually between 2007 and 2009 [GALLO/GETTY]
But that was down from about 850,000 annually from 2000 to 2005 [GALLO/GETTY]
But that was down from about 850,000 annually from 2000 to 2005 [GALLO/GETTY]
More than one million people have been deported since President Obama took office [GALLO/GETTY]
More than one million people have been deported since President Obama took office [GALLO/GETTY]
In 2009 and 2010, the Obama administration stepped up its campaign of deportation by removing nearly 400,000 immigrants a year [GALLO/GETTY]
In 2009 and 2010, the Obama administration stepped up its campaign of deportation by removing nearly 400,000 immigrants a year [GALLO/GETTY]
About 400,000 immigration detainees are kept in a patchwork of jail and prison cells over the course of a year [GALLO/GETTY]
About 400,000 immigration detainees are kept in a patchwork of jail and prison cells over the course of a year [GALLO/GETTY]
If passed, the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act would allow qualifying undocumented youth a six-year-long conditional path to citizenship [GALLO/GETTY]
If passed, the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act would allow qualifying undocumented youth a six-year-long conditional path to citizenship [GALLO/GETTY]

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

Interactive: Coding like a girl

Interactive: Coding like a girl

What obstacles do young women in technology have to overcome to achieve their dreams? Play this retro game to find out.

Heron Gate mass eviction: 'We never expected this in Canada'

Hundreds face mass eviction in Canada's capital

About 150 homes in one of Ottawa's most diverse and affordable communities are expected to be torn down in coming months

I remember the day … I designed the Nigerian flag

I remember the day … I designed the Nigerian flag

In 1959, a year before Nigeria's independence, a 23-year-old student helped colour the country's identity.