The United States was formed by the immigration of many people from all over the world. Americans take pride in knowing that we are a people of vast ethnic backgrounds and culture. However, at the present time, the flow of illegal immigration, as well as a large influx of other legal immigrants is placing a strain on our land of "huddled masses." Legal immigration to the United States can easily be handled and is welcomed by most Americans. However, the flow of illegal immigrants, especially from Mexico, must be stemmed, due to the strain it is placing on the government, (at the local, state and federal level), as well as the general population. Illegal immigrants are costing the United States over 24 billion dollars a year in taxpayers money (National Review 12.13.93). Something must be done to reduce the flow of illegal immigration into the United States. The focus of this paper will be the problems caused by and possible solutions to the problem of illegal immigration.

The United States is admitting more than 800,000 legal immigrants a year, with at least 200,000 more illegal immigrants settling permanently as well (National Review 12.13.93). This figure can also be bolstered by the "commuter" immigrants, illegal immigrants which cross the border for a period of time to work in low-paying, labor intensive jobs. These immigrants are creating one of the biggest burdens facing the government of the United States today, unemployment.

Competing for jobs against native Americans, immigrants are not only using valuable government resources from welfare and other programs, but they are also increasing the rate of unemployment. True, the jobs immigrants are taking are undesirable ones, but the fact still remains that American citizens have the right to these jobs. By taking jobs, illegal immigrants are placing a strain on the unemployment benefits which non-working Americans would not have to collect if there were more jobs. Another fact to consider, by taking the money illegal immigrants earn back to their own country, they cause a reduction of secondary profit. This means that money earned will be spent on products outside the United States, thereby decreasing tax profits for the government. One thing is clear, the United States cannot afford this influx of low-skilled, low paid people if it wants to remain a welfare state.

The U.S. government depends on taxpayers' money to support its programs. These programs include welfare, Medicare, Medicaid, and food stamps, as well as law enforcement. With the influx of illegal immigrants into the United States, all of these programs are facing problems. An estimated 13% of all funding to these government programs is used to support illegal immigrants (National Review 12.13.93) In addition to these previous figures, add the cost of the salaries of the more than 4,000 patrolmen used to guard the 7,582 mile border between the U.S. to the North and Mexico to the South (Fortune 9.9.93). Other expenses include a one billion dollar immigration budget for the next fiscal year (AP 3.3.95). By looking at these and other facts, it is obvious there is a large monetary burden being placed on the U.S. taxpayer. The stress created by this economic burden along with other job related stresses created by illegal immigration can lead to social problems.

The social strain caused by illegal immigration is hard to argue, due to the fact it differs with each individual. Competition for or the loss of a job and/or other benefits is a good example of social stress. The use of an individual's own tax money to pay for a forigner's family can also burden an individual. Lesser examples include the problems of racism and religious hatred. Xenophobia is not an uncommon thing in areas where illegal immigration is a major problem. It is up to the individual on the way he/she will deal with the problem of illegal immigration.

It can be argued that the illegal immigrant is a blessing rather than a burden. It is said that immigration is the life-blood of our country, but this kind of immigration is of a legal nature. Illegal entry into the U.S. is not right and should be stopped. But what of the argument that illegal immigrants are needed to fulfill low-paying, labor intensive jobs? A closer look shows at first, the immigrant must break the law to get to the workplace and secondly, even if he/she makes it to the workplace it is hard to predict whether or not the immigrant will receive a job. The roads of the United States are not paved with gold as many immigrants think. if an immigrant does not find work the it has been found that the longer the immigrant stays in the U.S., the more likely the chances of their receiving of public assistance. These ends do not justify the means. illegal immigration is costing the United States valuable resources both monetarily and socially.

What can we do to solve the problem of illegal immigration? It would be impossible to completely stifle the flow of illegal immigrants into the country. There is too much land to cover and the allure of jobs would continue to give the illegal immigrants incentive to try. The fact is we must monitor social programs, as well as the workplace, more carefully. This monitoring may include a national ID card similar to the social security cards in use now (Business Week 8.26.91). Another solution could be to increase the number of Immigration and Naturalization officers as well as adding increased fines for employers with illegal workers. Without these or other solutions, the loss of money and jobs will continue. If the loss of these resources continues, the U.S. might become the land of "closed doors," thereby ending the dream of many legal immigrants and shutting the books on the most open and free country in the world.