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Are immigration laws backfiring? A new study says yes

By WINK News

Story Created: Nov 7, 2007 at 5:52 PM EST

Story Updated: Nov 7, 2007 at 5:52 PM EST

Gainesville, Fla. - According to a study just released by the University of Florida, laws designed to discourage immigration, might be backfiring.

Border Security and other Homeland Security laws have been much tighter since September 11th, and because of that, people in the U.S. illegally are thinking twice before leaving, for fear they won't get back in.

The study also reveals illegal immigrants are finding creative ways to get driver's licenses or other state issued ID's.

Another issue - because of the newer restrictions, many relatives can't get into the U.S. to visit.

"So, in the past, your daughter was here for a couple of years and her mother came and visited. Now, the mother can't get a tourist visa, so what it's doing is it's separating families for long periods of time," says Maxine L. Margolis from the University of Florida.