s was a strong attempt by the government to limit illegal immigration while facilitating legal immigration. As of now, due to the lack of credible data, it is unclear if this legislationworked. What is clear is the continuing struggle to find a balance in the immigration system. Manycitizens are concerned with such issues as overpopulation, lack of jobs, and the cost to tax payersif this mass wave of legal and illegal immigrants continues (Castro 198). ConcernsAmerica has established such an inherent open heart/open door policy that it seems themelting pot may be about to boil over. Some estimates put the United States population overcapacity by as much as one-hundred million (Amselle 60). Americas lax attitude towardoverpopulation may have turned to one of danger that must be avoided (Amselle 60). In thepast immigration was somewhat balanced; a good economy meant more immigrants and a slowereconomy saw a decrease in immigration (Amselle 60). There are those who feel the United Stateshas absorbed all the people it can (Amselle 60). Then you have those like Joel Kotkin of theProgressive Policy Institute who feel that the large numbers of immigrants are working ageadults, that America needs to offset the growing number of pensioners (Amselle 60). Even ifthe immigrant population can offset the number of pensioners, the number of resources in thecountry will still be divide amongst a much larger population. One must also take into account thenumber of illegal immigrants added to the population. They will also be replacing those retiringpensioners at a lower wage with no taxes or social security payments. America has a largepopulation of baby boomers and will need working-age persons to fill the void left by theirretirements, but there must be a limit to the number of immigrants we become dependant uponand a dramatic decrease in illegal immigrants. During the 1980s when all other industrializednations were making restrictions on immigration...
