Irregular immigration to South Africa refers to migration of foreign nationals to South Africa without the authorisation of the South African authorities. A range of estimates of the size of the population of irregular migrants in South Africa exist, but these have been described as inaccurate.
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Profile and demographics
No accurate estimates of the number of undocumented migrants living in South Africa exist. Estimates that have been published vary widely. According to Statistics South Africa's 2011 census, 2.2 million foreigners live in South Africa, and the organisation's 2015 estimate places the number of undocumented migrants between 500,000 and one million undocumented migrants. A large number of Zimbabweans have fled to South Africa as a result of instability in Zimbabwe, with many living as undocumented migrants in South Africa.
Xenophobia
Sociologist Alice Bloch notes that migrants in South Africa have been the victims of xenophobia and violence, regardless of their immigration status.
Refugees from poorer neighbouring countries include many immigrants from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi and others, representing a large portion of the informal sector. With high unemployment levels amongst poorer South Africans, xenophobia is prevalent and many South Africans feel resentful of immigrants who are seen to be depriving the native population of jobs, a feeling which has been given credibility by the fact that many South African employers have employed migrants from other countries for lower pay than South African citizens, especially in the construction, tourism, agriculture and domestic service industries. Illegal immigrants are also heavily involved in informal trading. However, many immigrants to South Africa continue to live in poor conditions, and the South African immigration policy has become increasingly restrictive since 1994.