Should there be compulsory ID cards? A new study has found almost one in seventy people across the UK may be in the country illegally.
Up to one in 12 illegally in London
Should there be compulsory ID cards? A new study has found almost one in seventy people across the UK may be in the country illegally.
As many as one in 12 Londoners could be living in the UK illegallyIn a way that is against the law., a new study has found. This means they do not have the legal right to live in the UK.
Every one of those million has their own story. They might have stayed longer than their visaAn official document permitting someone to legally enter and stay in a country. allowed, or been told they do not meet the rules for asylumWhen a state agrees to shelter somebody who is fleeing dangerous circumstances. The right to asylum is protected in international law by the 1951 Refugee Convention.. Some will be children of other migrants, living illegally in the only country they have ever known.
This is bad news for politiciansSomeone whose job it is to be involved in running a country. Politicians try to persuade people they have the best ideas to run the country. from big parties, who have promised to reduce illegal immigrationThe permanent movement of people into a country. .
So what might people who live in the UK illegally be doing?
Many will work temporarySomething that does not last for long. or part-time jobs, without proper protections. Other migrants are even worse off: victims of modern slaveryWhen an individual is exploited by others for personal or commercial gain. They can be tricked, coerced or forced to lose their freedom. Sometimes modern slavery involves human trafficking and often forced labour. who are forced to do hard work for little or no pay.
What is the answer? Former prime ministerA prime minister is the head of government in a country with a parliamentary system. Tony BlairTony Blair was the leader of the Labour party. He was British prime minister from 1997 to 2007. thinks it is digital ID: a unique data profile that you would need to use to access any services at all.
Those who found themselves shut out by this system would quickly give up and leave the country, or else could easily be tracked down.
Others do not like the idea. They say those without ID would be at even more risk of being harmed by others. And many people who live in the UK legally say they think ID cards could affect their privacyBeing able to keep details about your life to yourself without everyone else knowing. .
Should there be compulsoryNot optional. ID cards?
Yes! Many European countries already have ID cards. A digital ID system would take Britain into the future and make it harder to live in the country illegally.
No! British voters have already said "no" to ID cards. So it would not be right to bring them in now. And there is no clear proofSomething that shows something else is true. it would make it harder to live in the UK illegally.
Illegally - In a way that is against the law.
Visa - An official document permitting someone to legally enter and stay in a country.
Asylum - When a state agrees to shelter somebody who is fleeing dangerous circumstances. The right to asylum is protected in international law by the 1951 Refugee Convention.
Politicians - Someone whose job it is to be involved in running a country. Politicians try to persuade people they have the best ideas to run the country.
Immigration - The permanent movement of people into a country.
Temporary - Something that does not last for long.
Modern slavery - When an individual is exploited by others for personal or commercial gain. They can be tricked, coerced or forced to lose their freedom. Sometimes modern slavery involves human trafficking and often forced labour.
Prime minister - A prime minister is the head of government in a country with a parliamentary system.
Tony Blair - Tony Blair was the leader of the Labour party. He was British prime minister from 1997 to 2007.
Privacy - Being able to keep details about your life to yourself without everyone else knowing.
Compulsory - Not optional.
Proof - Something that shows something else is true.
Up to one in 12 illegally in London

Glossary
Illegally - In a way that is against the law.
Visa - An official document permitting someone to legally enter and stay in a country.
Asylum - When a state agrees to shelter somebody who is fleeing dangerous circumstances. The right to asylum is protected in international law by the 1951 Refugee Convention.
Politicians - Someone whose job it is to be involved in running a country. Politicians try to persuade people they have the best ideas to run the country.
Immigration - The permanent movement of people into a country.
Temporary - Something that does not last for long.
Modern slavery - When an individual is exploited by others for personal or commercial gain. They can be tricked, coerced or forced to lose their freedom. Sometimes modern slavery involves human trafficking and often forced labour.
Prime minister - A prime minister is the head of government in a country with a parliamentary system.
Tony Blair - Tony Blair was the leader of the Labour party. He was British prime minister from 1997 to 2007.
Privacy - Being able to keep details about your life to yourself without everyone else knowing.
Compulsory - Not optional.
Proof - Something that shows something else is true.