Official government figures reveal there are nearly 60 thousand illegal immigrants hiding in Australia.

Freedom of Information documents show most are from China and the second biggest group is from the US followed by Britain.

And nearly all of these 58,400 people arrive by plane rather than a boat.

Sam Affra from the Ethnic Communities Council, says these people often end up being exploited.

"To cover yourself so you don't get caught by the system because you don't want to go back ,of course you're going to be exploited. They'll be used for all sorts of reasons.. illegal, criminal you name it."

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