Among the many highly controversial issues in the United States, illegal immigration ranks first because it continues to grow and must be stopped. The term "illegal immigration" is used to describe the migration of people to another country without government permission. Due to the highly desirable lifestyle in the United States, illegal immigration is more common than in many other countries around the world. Even before the Constitution was written, important political and social idols, like Benjamin Franklin, worried about the consequences of immigration. His ideas were particularly geared toward increasing the number of German immigrants, as he warned that “Pennsylvania will in a few years become a German colony; instead of them learning our language, we must learn theirs, or live as if in a foreign country. Although Franklin's thoughts influenced many people living in the country, the nation's first hundred years were established with an open border (Hing). This would welcome foreign nationals displaced by the ravages of war or persecuted by totalitarian governments in the hope of a better life. The Fourteenth Amendment, ratified in 1868, would establish the rights of citizens, or legally recognized subjects or nationals of a state or commonwealth, whether native or naturalized (McClenaghan). Many illegal immigrants refuse to assimilate into the environment in which they have imposed themselves. They also accept a variety of unskilled jobs that citizens could use, but find themselves unemployed. The concept of immigration is what allowed the United States to prosper in its early years to the present day; however, when it is done illegally, it can harm the domestic tranquility and security of the nation, as we...... middle of paper ...... there is a need to increase border patrols in these areas (Dudley). Additionally, occasional checks should be carried out on people, whether at their workplace or school, to establish their citizenship. Overall, it must be recognized that illegal immigration will never be entirely stopped, but with the right approach it can be reduced, thereby strengthening the domestic tranquility and security of the United States as a nation. Works Cited Currie, Stephen. Immigration issues. Sand Diego, CA: Lucent Books, 2000. Print. Dudley, William. Illegal immigration: opposing views. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press, 2002. Print. Hing, Bill. Immigration and the law: a dictionary. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 1999. Print. McClenaghan, William. Macgruder American Government. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2010. Print.