Since the beginning of the late Twentieth century, illegal immigration has been a problem in the U.S.  During the large wave of immigration from 1881 to 1920, around 23 million immigrants poured into the United States from all over the world.

 In 1924 illegal immigration was reduced further to 160,000 a year, and in 1929, immigration was cut to 157,000 and quotas were again reset based on national origins in the 1920 U.S. Census.

However, the door was left open for Hispanics and northern Europeans. As history would show, this legal immigration led to illegal immigration and foreshadowed today’s debate on these topics. During the 1920s illegal immigration was the subject of heated Congressional debates.

“The administration indicated that, henceforth, deportation will be focused solely on illegal immigrants who have criminal records and that no enforcement resources will be expended on those who do not pose a threat to public safety,” stated David B. Rivkin Jr.

During the recent election President Barack Obama has confronted Republicans for not supporting the Dream Act which would allow illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. before they turned  16 the chance to become lawful permanent residents if they meet certain conditions. Foreign students should be able to stay after graduating college in the country. For the benefit of the immigrants, President Obama will continue to support the Dream Act for the children of illegal immigrants.

Obama administration said Thursday that his policy will halt deportation proceedings on a case-by-case basis against illegal immigrants who meet certain criteria, such as attending school, having family in the military or having primary responsibility for other family members care.

“Today’s announcement shows that this president is willing to put muscle behind his words and to use his power to intervene when the lives of good people are being ruined by bad laws,” announced Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez, Illinois Democrat.

President Obama supported President George Bush on some of his thoughts on immigration by increasing funds and improving border security technology, improving enforcement of existing laws and provided a legal path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants. He voted to authorize construction of a 700-mile fence along the U.S- Mexican border.

“Immigrants should have a pathway to citizenship, but people have to earn it,” stated President Obama.

Mid-2008, President Obama stated that we should crack down on employers who hire illegal immigrants, but on the other side should not expel hard workers who have helped in a great way to the country.

On February 15, Brett Dreyer of the Worksite Enforcement Unit announced “My agency will be investigating 1,000 employers at a time.”

Their efforts have already resulted in tens of thousands of undocumented immigrants being fired and many U.S. employers being fined. Immigration legislation has been delayed in Congress for years as the two parties have sparred over what to include.

Republicans generally favor stricter enforcement and a temporary program that would allow workers in the country for some time, but eventually return to their home countries. Democrats want the legislation to include legalization of the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants now in the country, and want the future guest worker program to also include a path to citizenship so those workers can stay permanently.