Many Americans forget that many of our ancestors were once immigrants who came to America seeking new opportunities, as are immigrants today. Existing solutions to illegal immigration, some quite extreme, include legalization or amnesty rather than deportation or incarceration of illegal immigrants. Even though the government receives less taxes from undocumented people and some American citizens are fired from their jobs, illegal immigration is beneficial because businesses thrive; meanwhile, the entire country and every immigrant will benefit from the legalization of the entire illegal population. Illegal aliens can displace uneducated Americans from their jobs, due to cheaper labor (Porter 1). Victims of immigration include people with little education who are unable to enter a job market where many low-level positions are filled by low-paid illegal immigrants (3). This is evident because while 22 million American citizens are unemployed, 8 million illegal immigrants in the United States have jobs (“Illegal Immigration” 2014 1). In addition to illegals taking American jobs, the economy suffers as schools and hospitals lose money serving illegal immigrants who don't pay taxes (Masters 1). This charity-oriented attitude also encourages illegal immigrants to come to America to have children because every child born in the United States is automatically granted citizenship (“Illegal Immigration” 2012 1). While there are many reasons to rid the country of illegal immigrants, there are many benefits to having immigrants take up residence in America. Since there are many exceptions to why a person is in the country illegally, the consequences should not be at a single level, but have different punishments based on the type of criminal commission...... middle of paper... ...edge eligible to pay taxes, benefiting the economy (Silverman 1). It does this by giving the illegal population a green card, so that they can eventually become full citizens. Obama believes it is better to pardon undocumented immigrants, but in the meantime increase border security and improve immigration laws ("Immigration Amnesty" 1). they will have to stay at the back of the queue… but they will have a path to citizenship over the course of ten years.” -Obama (“Amnesty on immigration” 1). The United States should demonstrate the value of keeping immigrants in the country, rather than deporting or imprisoning them. Although there are disadvantages to having illegal people in the country, there are many advantages to hosting them, and the benefits increase with the legalization of the illegal population.