Americas doors were open and now the nationbegins the daunting task of closing those doors (Briggs 5). There is some concern that closing thedoors could heighten the feeling that the nation is under siege (Suro 15). Overpopulation is initself a world wide issue but is not undisputed as a cause for concern in America. A lack of jobs is a major concern for most. Will there be enough jobs for everyone? Canour economy support its own citizens, immigrants, and illegal aliens. America is experiencing aperiod of economic health, but history shows that this upward economy will not last indefinitely.The working poor are concerned that illegal immigrants may be holding down wages and takingthe few unskilled jobs that are available in some areas (Kirschten 16). These are legitimate fearsthat call into question the governments ability to regulate immigration. Tax paying citizens arealso concerned that the tax dollars they pay each year are being used to help educate illegalimmigrants and not those who are rightfully in this country (Amselle 60). When there is a largepopulation of immigrants in an area citizens tend to view them in a hostile manner because of theperceived notion that illegal immigrants are using resource meant for legal residents (Bean 204).In reality illegal immigrants have never been eligible for welfare and other public services (Castro180).Benefits of ImmigrationImmigrants help to relieve our nations labor shortage. The truth is that due to a decline inthe fertility rate in the United States some leading demographers predict that without substantialimmigration America will have a shrinking population (Briggs 127). A shrinking population wouldmean a higher cost of living and a slow decline in the economy. This alone does not diffuse thealarm of overpopulation but it does give a different view of the situation. Take into account theagricultural sector of American society which is heavily dependant upon immigrant workers,because ...
