The term "illegal" connotes criminality, which is why the public perception of immigration has grown more negative in recent years. Any proposed solution regarding immigration must therefore begin with an attitude change. With an intense focus on the Mexican border, American journalists and politicians have recently drawn attention to some the problems with illegal immigration. The same journalists and politicians would do well to educate themselves and the public about the immense contributions Mexican-Americans have made to the nation. Mexicans have been migrating to the United States to work and improve their financial well-being for decades, even centuries. The public will be more receptive to alterations in public policy if attitudes toward immigration are generally more favorable and realistic.

             Illegal immigration is a problem primarily because it disenfranchises people. Immigrants here illegally work for below the minimum wage and thus live in poverty. Their dreams for improving their future are often thwarted immediately. On the other hand, American citizens suffer as well. Employers willing to hire illegal workers increase their profits by paying laborers below the minimum wage, thereby easing out many viable citizens, essentially "stealing" jobs from many American citizens.

             Therefore, any proposed solution for the problem of illegal immigration must focus on employers of illegal workers. If fewer employers hire illegal workers, then fewer workers will enter the country illegally. Illegal immigration continues because the American government panders to the big businesses that thrive on paying workers too little. Beefing up patrol of offending corporations would be preferable to beefing up border patrol, which is near-impossible given the length of the Mexican-American border.

             Helping developing nations like Mexico to prosper would also help curtail the illegal immigration problem.