Immigration Issues

The issue of illegal immigration has always been a “hot topic” not only in the political world but also with the average American. The increase in illegal immigrants has threatened our security and put a strain on our already tightened economy. The illegal immigrants choice not to assimilate has also affected the general attitude towards them. Most people have strong feelings about the immigration issues facing the United States right now. However, there is a strong division of those feelings towards immigration. Easy access has played a part in the high number of illegal immigrants in this country. The Canadian and Mexican borders give easy access to the people who do not want to go through the legal process of immigration. The Mexican border sees the most activity with thousands of people crossing through every day. “…The United States is host to an illegal population of 7 to 12 million, of whom the vast majority are Mexican or Hispanic in origin” (Hayes 17). These millions of people usually come here with little or no money to start a new life. They look to the United States government for assistance in getting a fresh start. A study conducted in 1994 in the state of California showed the cost of illegal immigrants at $4 billion annually, which covered unemployment, medical, educational and other costs (Hayes 18). Many illegal immigrants know how to work the American system. They will collect unemployment in one state while working in another, or still work in that state in a job where they get paid cash. To make matters even worse, a lot of this money does not stay in the states to help our economy. Many illegal immigrants send money back home to where the majority of their family is. There are many benefits of illegal immigrants being here, however they don’t outweigh the risks. Many illegal immigrants follow the labor migration. Moving up the coast of California and other farming states to work on the farms. They follow the seasons and work the

Cited: Custred, Glynn, “Alien Crossings.” Illegal Immigration. Ed. William Dudley. San Diego, Greenhaven Press, 2002, 39-48. Federation for American Immigration Reform. “Immigration and Job Displacement.” Illegal Immigration. Ed. William Dudley. San Diego, Greenhaven Press, 2002, 31-34. Hayes, Ted. “Illegal Immigration Threatens U.S. Sovereignty, Economy and Culture.” Illegal Immigration. Ed. William Dudley. San Diego, Greenhaven Press, 2002, 17-21. Rayner, Richard. “What Immigration Crisis?” Illegal Immigration. Ed. William Dudley. San Diego, Greenhaven Press, 2002, 22-30.