Illegal emigration is when people emigrate from a country, but they do it in a way that is illegal. Emigration restrictions were practiced in many former and current Communist countries. Emigration restrictions are something that should be avoided if possible. Restrictions on emigration limit personal freedom. They can prevent people who would be Happier if they emigrated to another country from doing so. Thus, emigration restrictions in this way increase suffering. Emigration restrictions also prevent intelligent people from getting a decent education, so emigration restrictions can reduce innovation and technological progress.