Immigrants are leaving South Africa as protests grow over illegal migration. Here’s what to know

Thousands of people gathered Tuesday in various parts of South Africa to hold the biggest demonstrations against illegal migration since anti-migrant violence broke out in 2008, killing more than 60 people.

Many African immigrants, predominantly from Zimbabwe and Malawi, are leaving South Africa because of a rise in anti-migration anger that sparked attacks against foreigners.

The attacks have coincided with a series of protests and marches in recent months by anti-immigration groups, who set Tuesday as what they called a “deadline” for people in the country illegally to leave, the first time any anti-immigrant group has done so.

They have called on the government to take action against what they say is a growing problem of illegal immigration in Africa’s biggest economy.

The groups threatened a “national shutdown” if that doesn’t happen.

South African authorities were on high alert Tuesday, with officers deployed to various parts of the country that have been identified as