Many American citizens believe that many immigrants come to America to receive welfare. The federal government mandated public support for all immigrants, legal and illegal. In 1989, 21% of legal immigrant households received welfare benefits, compared to 14% of native born households (Duignan & Gann, 29). That may seem like a small number, but the immigrant households made up 8% of all households and they account for 13.8% of all of the public assistance money that is distributed (Duignan & Gann, 29). The immigrant population that receives assistance is usually in the form of food stamps or Medicaid because most of the immi

In a 1996 survey, 78% of Americans felt that immigrants worked hard and took many jobs that Americans did not want (Duignan & Gann, 45). 80% of immigrants are employed and work hard but there are many pros and cons to this situation (Duignan & Gann, 44). Some immigrants are more likely to succeed in America than they would if they had stayed in their home countries. Many immigrants have farm jobs with low wages, but these wages keep many produce prices low. Prices in other industries are kept lower due to low wages received by immigrants, such as the restaurant, service, meat and poultry industries. Since a large proportion of the American population is aging, there is a constant need for new workers to help pay social benefits and keep America competitive in high-tech industries. Many high skilled workers come to the United States because there are a lack of skilled jobs in Mexico. This is a benefit to America because these workers come here with the skills needed with no cost to the public to educate and train them. Many companies also benefit because they get a different perspective from employees with different training and backgrounds. Immigrants create jobs when they arrive here because there are more people to purchase goods and services. Although the availability of low skilled jobs for native born Americans is sometimes decreased, the low wages often paid to the immigrants help to keep the jobs from being taken over by new forms of technology.

In 1994, Operation Gatekeeper was enacted to try to stop border crossing on the San Diego border, which is where 25% of all arrests occur (Passel, 197). Operation Gatekeeper included better fences and barriers, sensors, night vision goggles and increased personnel. It appeared to slow down border crossing in the beginning, but in December 1994 the value of the peso dropped and many immigrants started crossing the border elsewhere. Operation Gatekeeper has been successful in slowing down illegal immigration into San Diego, but has done nothing to stop it anywhere else.

Illegal immigrants cause many problems for the taxpayers, state and federal governments. The federal government requires public education and emergency healthcare to all illegal immigrants, but it is also the federal government's responsibility to patrol the borders. Each year, there are 2 million undocumented crossings into the United States from Mexico, with the number increasing about 150,000 each year (Passel, 194). About 1.8 million illegal immigrants live in California with an additional 125,000 coming across the border each year (McCarthy & Vernez, 59). The children born to illegal immigrant parents are eligible for full welfare benefits. Many illegal immigrants were admitted with legal visas, but stayed beyond their expiration date. The illegal immigrants come to the United Stated from Mexico for many reasons. One reason is Mexico's deteriorating economic conditions. There is a less competitive market due to NAFTA and trade restrictions. In Mexico, unskilled jobs are eliminated due to technology and unemployment and underemployment remain high. The United States also offers Mexicans political stability, a constitutional government, freedom from corruption, a greater number of jobs and more opportunities for economic advancement. Illegal immigrants find jobs in farming and service industries.

Since California has the largest population of illegal immigrants, they have passed Proposition 187, which is a controversial act that would cut off benefits such as public education and emergency health care to all illegal immigrants. It also requires verification of proof of residence before receiving any public services. Employers and public officials are also required to report people that they suspect are illegal immigrants. This proposition is met by resistance from the public and federal government. The federal government is que

Some common words found in the essay are:
Duignan Gann, McCarthy Vernez, Reform Act, Haines Rosenblum, Control Act, Americans Brimelow, Asia Mexico, Stated Mexico, Operation Gatekeeper, Social Security, illegal immigrants, duignan gann, low wages, native born, mccarthy vernez, elderly immigrants, legal immigrants, native born americans, population growth, bilingual education, born americans, duignan gann 51, mccarthy vernez 69, public education emergency, immigration mccarthy vernez,
Approximate Word count = 2636
Approximate Pages = 11 (250 words per page double spaced)