The majority of the illegal immigrants in the United States are from Mexico.

The U.S. Census Bureau estimated that 8.7 million illegal immigrants were living in the United States in 2000.

Late Amnesty of 2000 (IRCA)

The Late Amnesty of 2000, allowed certain groups of illegal aliens, to renew their request for amnesty. Specifically this Amnesty Bill was for those who had been told that they were not eligible for permanent residency under the Immigration and Reform Control Act (IRCA) of 1986. Applicants had to prove that they entered the United States before January 1, 1982 and resided continuously in the United States in an unlawful status until May 4, 1988, and that they were continuously present in the United States from November 6, 1986, until May 4, 1988. The Late Amensty Bill of 2000 gave approximately 400,000 illegal aliens a green card.