Illegal immigration is a hot-button issue.

Although undocumented immigrants make up a large portion of the population, the U. S.'s policy is to deport illegal immigrants back to their land of origin.

Instead of trying to keep immigrants out, the United States should try to allow legal immigration.

Throngs of undocumented Mexicans have been crossing the border into the United States for years. Many of the undocumented workers purchase fraudulent Social Security cards and pay taxes, even though they do not receive any of the benefits paid for by tax funding. Much of their income and illegal taxpaying activity has kept this nation's social security afloat.

Immigration is a fundamental building block of American identity. The majority of Americans can say that at least one of their ancestors was an immigrant at some point.

Illegal immigrants should have the opportunity to become legal. It is extremely difficult for poverty-stricken people of Mexico to find a way to legitimately cross the border and make a better life for themselves. This needs to be changed.

Disregarding the fact that they are living here illegally, undocumented immigrants generally want to abide by the law. If legal immigration was more feasible, Mexicans and other immigrants would most likely go through the proper channels and come here legally. The influx of immigrants would be easier to monitor and control.

Currently, the one of the only punishments for illegal immigrants is deportation. No other punishment is administered, making it so illegal aliens really have nothing to lose by trying to get into the country.

It is our government's responsibility to facilitate change. If there is a system set up to make legal immigration from Mexico an attainable goal, the flow of people into the country would be more controlled.

Rather than having a multitude of people participating in an illegal act that they are only doing to better their living situation, we could help them come into the land of the free.