When I wrote my piece the other day ....

 .... I did not know that mechanisms for legitimising illegal immigrants were already in place!
Thousands of immigrants have been granted 'squatters' rights' to stay in the UK - after living here illegally for 14 years.

'Under a little known rule up to 2,000 have been allowed to remain indefinitely every year - simply because they have been here for so long. A law passed by Labour in 2003 gives them the right to claim residence if they have successfully evaded the immigration authorities for 14 years.
Anyone whose application is approved gets the right to stay indefinitely, working rights and full access to benefits.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1387442/Migrants-squatters-rights-stay-UK-theyve-stayed-14-years.html#ixzz1MUmCQSoo