Although Lebanon does not consider itself a receiving country, it has been a destination or transit state for illegal immigrants from all over the world. The country today hosts approximately 1.5 million refugees, including 1 million Syrians, 400,000 Palestinians, 50,000 Iraqis and other nationalities (Tabar, 2010; “UNCHR-Lebanon,” 2013). Lebanon meets most of the factors cited by Gordon Hanson to qualify a country as a successful destination for illegal migrants. These factors include geographic proximity to the country of origin, relatively open borders, ease of hiding and working, and a high likelihood of legalization (Hanson, 2007). The country, in fact, borders Syria to the north and east, where the majority of illegal immigrants come from. Furthermore, the inclusion of Cyprus into the European Union (EU) in 2004 made it easier for illegal immigrants to travel to Europe using Lebanon as a bridge. Furthermore, Lebanon's borders with Syria have never been and still are not strictly controlled by the Lebanese authorities. Furthermore, illegal immigrants can easily find work in the country because employers prefer these low-wage, uninsured workers to Lebanese ones. This illegal immigration situation has led to negative impacts on Lebanon. First, it gives the country a bad name when it acts as a bridge to the EU. Second, immigration drives down wages and working conditions to the detriment of Lebanese workers. Third, many illegal immigrants are involved in activities prohibited by Lebanese law such as weapons, drug trafficking, car jacking and others. Finally, these illegal immigrants do not pay income taxes but often use public schools, hospitals and other government services. Indeed, over the past decade, illegal immigration has become a source of m...... middle of paper... ...lem faces Lebanon, and there are many different solutions to solve it. Securing the borders with Syria is one of the proposed solutions. This is a long and necessary process that involves creating a formal border separating the two states, building a wall and improving the capabilities of border agents. Another solution to address the issue of illegal migrants is to review the legal framework of migration. This is required of the Lebanese government to improve the situation of refugees by recognizing their status under international law and enacting laws that discourage employers from hiring illegal immigrants. Finally, Lebanon should also rely on partners with more experience and more resources in managing illegal immigration issues. The EU is obviously the most reliable. Furthermore, bilateral agreements should not be overlooked and can solve many problems.