“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”- Maria Robinson

Waves of illegal immigrants enter the United States every day. According to the Census Bureau, approximately 12 million illegal immigrants are residing in our country and have fueled the national discourse on immigration reform. So, should we allow them to enter our country freely? 

Illegal immigrants are involved in many crimes ranging from murder to simple misdemeanors. Approximately 240,000 illegal aliens are registered sex offenders with this number rising everyday. Do we really want them near the youth of this country?  Furthermore, the United States has seen a large influx of illegal immigrants, from countries who are opposed to the rights guaranteed by the United States constitution.

Specifically, there are large numbers of immigrants coming from countries that are misogynistic. This means that their societies accord women little to no rights, and the idea of violence committed by men against women and children is not unusual. This cultural barrier cannot be engraved in American society, for it would go against the biggest principles by which this country was found on, which is equality for all.

The American Dream is an incredibly inspiring concept that applies to many people of this country. I am all for it, and I know that many illegal immigrants just want to come to America for a better life, or to support their families back home. The only problem is that when we let them in, it is virtually impossible to tell who is good and who is bad. 

The economic and social costs of illegal immigration is staggering.  Illegal immigrants have cost billions of taxpayer-funded dollars for medical services. Immigration is a burden on the economy. Corporate interests acquire the benefits of cheap labor, while taxpayers pay the basic underlying framework of the organization. In fact, approximately $60 billion dollars are earned by illegal aliens in the United States each year. This is one of Mexico's largest revenue streams, after oil and exports. The money is often sent home by legal immigrants and illegal aliens working in the U.S. This is a massive transfer of wealth from America - essentially from America's displaced working poor - to Mexico.

Clearly, illegal immigration is a controversial topic that can be talked and debated about endlessly. There are arguments for both sides. But I believe that the negative side is more prevalent. There are always innocent people, and I am most definitely not criticizing all immigrants, but rather, accounting for their contributions. Because of violence, economic stress and overpopulation, illegal immigration should be taken more seriously. It should not be a problem from generations to come, as it only slows down the progression of the United States.