From the origin of the United States, immigration has been crucial for the economic advancement and expansion of the nation. "People have been immigrating to the United States for hundreds of years." Immigrants flood our gates from all over the world to be a part of the land of the free and the home of the brave. "America has, is, and will always be a nation of immigrants; the great melting pot." Immigrants find food, shelter, relief from persecution, and a chance at a life of their own. "The inscription on the Statue of Liberty invites all to enter, yet not all are allowed to enter. Immigration has become a selective process with many gray areas." Now Americans are faced with a new dilemma; the nation must decide not whether it is willing to accept new immigrants, but whether it can afford new immigrants, both legal illegal immigrants must be included in this equation."
With more immigrants coming in daily, the U.S. has restricted the amount coming across the border. Unless "A fiancée of a US citizen is eligible for a non-immigrant visa if the marriage will occur within 90 days after the fiancée enters the United States. After the marriage takes place, the American citizen may file for Lawful Permanent Residence (Green Card) on behalf of the spouse and he/she may remain in the US."
There is a shortage of jobs for those who are U.S citizens already, and by allowing immigrants to pour into the States, they increase the number of unemployed. Because they cannot earn a living, the government must support them with welfare. Not only is the government paying, but so are the citizens. "In 1994 California's proposition was passed 187. It was aimed at curbing the health care costs of illegal immigrants; most Americans mostly see it as an immigrant issue and pay little attention to details concerning the status of those immigrants actually receiving the benefits. Due to California's central valley where most of the workers are...