Undoubtedly, one of the most controversial topics of discussion in the world of politics is the debate regarding illegal immigration. Not only could conservatives and liberals throughout the country be more polarized on the topic, but the issue itself is symbolic of the terrible political divide in this country that has heated Americans for nearly 250 years.

Over the course of the nineteenth and twentieth century, it became prevalent that one country’s illegal immigrants would face America the greatest challenge on the country’s southern border – Mexico. The annexation of Texas and the southeastern United States left a bitter standing between the two countries. As soon as the Mexican government began to show signs of corruption and America was on the rise as the industrial powerhouse of the world, millions of Mexican immigrants began immigrating to the U.S. in search of jobs and better living.

Today, Mexican immigrants are still traveling to the U.S. in massive numbers. The only problem is that many of them are immigrating illegally. During 2017, according to The Washington Times, Border Patrol agents nabbed 16,089 illegal immigrants trying to sneak into America by going around the legal process. Another 5,570 illegals showed up to the U.S. border without authorization or proper documentation for entry into the country. However, a much more alarming fact is that according to USA Today, 11.3 million illegal immigrants are already dwelling inside the U.S. So the big question arises, what does America do with these people? Do nothing and let them stay? Deport them? Provide a pathway to citizenship? When the possible solutions are laid out, it quickly is evident that America does not have a ton of options.

Conservatives and the republican party argue that not one of these 11.3 million undocumented immigrants are paying any taxes whatsoever. President Donald Trump has also argued time and time again that these illegal immigrants are taking away jobs from lower income Americans who would otherwise currently be employed. Trump has also noted that dozens of American families have lost loved ones to victims of violent crime carried out by illegal immigrants who never should have been here if America was enforcing its immigration laws in the first place. His solution to keep illegals out? Building a wall that would stretch thousands of miles along the southern borders of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.

More recently in the news, the White House has insisted that there will be no immigration compromise with house democrats without funding for a border wall. The White House did say; however, they are open to offering these 11.3 million illegal immigrants a pathway to citizenship on a merit system based on good behavior over the next fifteen to twenty years. That is, of course, if the house and senate Democrats are willing to give in to building a wall in order for illegals to have a pathway to citizenship.

Liberals and Democrats across the country, on the other hand, argue that these undocumented immigrants do in fact help America’s economy and are willing to do many jobs that Americans are simply unwilling to do. They argue that these illegal immigrants do no real harm being here, and that a majority of them are on good behavior, and thus, should be granted a pathway to citizenship. Liberals also argue that America’s level of diversity is what has made America great since the beginning. Americans should be willing to welcome these undocumented immigrants out of the shadows and into the mainstream American way of life.

From an economic perspective, perhaps providing a way for citizenship for these illegal immigrants would also create more tax revenue; ultimately, benefiting the federal and state government budgets.

Here at Adams, students have also become very opinionated when it comes to being asked of their opinion on how the US should conduct its southern border policy.

“I think the borders need to be controlled, and we should only let those people in who are willing to go through the legal process of getting their green card and then becoming a citizen,” said senior John Gurraj.

Regardless of personal opinions, it is critically important that Americans recognize and hear out both conservative and liberal perspectives through proper political discourse. It will also be very interesting to hear if Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill can come to any agreement on what to do with these illegal immigrants in the near future of Trump’s presidency.