Group warns of British immigration costs

LONDON, May 4 (UPI) -- Each illegal immigrant in Britain would cost the country nearly $1.5 million during their lifetime if the government grants them amnesty, a group warns.

The think tank Migrationwatch said research indicates the final financial tally for granting amnesties to illegal immigrants could reach nearly $1.5 trillion in Britain, The Daily Telegraph reported Sunday.

The predicted figures in a report from the think tank are based on estimated costs for immigrants earning minimum wage while their their families with two children each live in privately rented accommodations.

The Telegraph said the think tank's report comes about as the group Strangers into Citizen is calling for the regularization of illegal immigrants in Britain through a one-time amnesty action.

Recent research indicates there may be up to 1 million illegal immigrants in Britain, the Telegraph reported.

London Mayor Boris Johnson has also supported such an action, while the Institute for Public Policy Research suggested the government could consider it amid falling immigration numbers and tighter immigration controls.

The public policy group warned attempts to remove all illegal immigrants in Britain would likely take 25 years to complete and cost Britain nearly $18 billion, the Telegraph said.