Its often seen as a way to stay below the radar by being on the radar itself. How could this harmless old person, shuffling along wearing rags and going through our garbage be anything but a sturdy, silent and proud citizen?  Too often the story is differetn and the treats left on doorsteps dont make an infintesimal dent in the millions of dollars it costs in healthcare thanks to "family reunification" aka bringing old, non-english speaking people here. The immigrant underground economy costs more in tax dollars than illegal cigarettes.