Bad illegal/undocumented tenant stories?

[Meredith Mihm]

I Know this will be controversial... I'm considering renting to applicants who I'm relatively sure are not here legally. They have lived in the same place (in the US) for the last 7 years, and have an employer that can verify income. I haven't talked to their previous landlord yet, but I'm seriously considering renting to them if their previous landlord vouches for them. I realize that this is a risk, and I've been combing through the forum posts on this topic.  My feeling is that anyone who would leave everything familiar behind to come to a new place must be brave, ambitious, and goal-oriented, and I've read lots of good stories. I have yet to find anyone who actually did have bad experiences with illegal immigrants. So I just thought I'd ask: how many of is have taken this risk and been burned by it?? Thanks!