In the context of the highly-charged debate regarding illegal immigrants, virtually the entire focus has been on those who cross the border illegally, with the vast majority crossing from Mexico, although about 13% are Asians who are smuggled into the U.S. However, new data shows that up to 45% of all illegal immigrants did not cross the border illegally -- they overstayed their visas as students, tourists, businesspeople, or temporary workers:

The little-acknowledged reality is that nearly half the estimated 12 million undocumented foreigners in the United States entered on bona fide U.S. visas -- and simply never left. . . . A study by the Washington-based Pew Hispanic Center last month indicated that 45 percent of the undocumented migrants in the United States overstayed legal visas. . . .

The immigration reforms soon to be hashed out in a Congressional conference committee may crack down on employers who fail to make sure their workers are legal. But it’s unclear whether the proposed reforms will send many “overstayers” home.

The U.S. State Department issued nearly 5.4 million temporary, nonimmigrant visas in fiscal year 2005, and about 17 percent went to Mexicans. The most common visas are for tourism, business travel and medical care.

Boyd said he couldn’t pinpoint the type of visa that is overstayed the most. Thousands of foreigners who come as students remain in the United States after finishing school or dropping out, and many who come on work visas lose their jobs or stay after their papers expire.

Some of issues and complaints associated with visa overstayers (as opposed to illegal border crossers) are different, but many are the same as well. For example, they both share the desire to become citizens and integrated into mainstream American society. This would allow them to contribute to our country and economy legitimately, rather than under-the-table or be relegated to the shadows and fringes of society.

More than anything else, the diversity of types of illegal immigrants ultimately show that such “band aid” proposals such as creating a fortress wall around the border with Mexico will do little to stop the overall flow of illegal immigrants. Instead, the solution once again is a comprehensive set of measures designed to address the root causes of the issue, rather than just treat the superficial symptoms.