For many countries, the United States stands as a beacon of hope. Many immigrants seek to become United States citizens due to the nation’s many freedoms and opportunities; however, illegal immigration can also result in a significant number of nationwide problems, which lower personal success rates for immigrants and native citizens alike. All countries, including the United States, suffer from some amount of illegal immigration, and actions towards illegal immigration are vigorously debated. There are very few positives to illegal immigration. Some studies hold that illegal immigration actually helps stimulate the economy. However, the amount of serious problems typically outweighs any potential benefits. Putting aside any political and ethical positions on the issue, this unchecked influx of new citizens has resulted in the following real-life issues:

• Immigrants take jobs. There are many political and moral attitudes towards this issue, but nonetheless it is a documented occurrence. Illegal immigrants, if working, are possibly taking jobs from registered United States citizens. Not only is this against the law (which can destroy the employer’s business), but it also often hurts the immigrants. Many employers will pay illegal immigrants below minimum wage, since they are not citizens and there is nothing the immigrants can do about this injustice without getting caught.
• Immigrants cause overcrowding. This issue is most often seen in U.S. public schools, where classrooms are becoming larger and education programs are struggling to meet student demands. In residential areas the effect may be less noticeable; however, overcrowding from illegal immigration has shown to have lasting, devastating effects on a nation. The influx of immigrants to Nigeria, for example, caused the population to grow and equal that of the United States’ – even though Nigeria is less than one-twelfth its size.
• Immigrants possibly carry diseases and other issues into the country with them. This is not as extreme a problem as some others involving illegal immigration, as even legal immigrants can carry such things. However, illegal immigrants are more likely to introduce alien plant and animal species or infectious diseases, since they are unchecked by immigration services. An example of this includes the introduction of the ‘kissing bug’ into the U.S. from South America, which carries the Chagas disease.

The impacts of other problems, such as illegal immigration contributing to rising crime rates, cultural misunderstandings and government spending, are harder to factually assess than the problems above. It is obvious, however, that illegal immigration is illegal for a reason, as it cause significant problems to the nation.