For over thirty years Americans have been listening to both republicans and democrats bicker about immigration

and border control. One side of the argument believes border control to be unfair and over the top, while the other side believes it to be a necessary action. I believe border control to be necessary for the reduction of crime in our border states, protection of the American citizenship, and to retain jobs solely for Americans. Many Americans are opposed to border security because they believe all immigrants should be given the chance to gain freedom. Progressives throughout America see open American borders as the "Land of the Free" signage. They support slackened border security to ensure that immigration does not become an impossible process, because our current program is very difficult to navigate. Some people are waiting ten years or more just to get a work visa! According to the opposition increased border security would cause illegal organizations to attempt more and more to come to the United States, instead of decreasing their efforts. Overall the opposition believes border security sends an anti-freedom message and promotes criminal creativeness. The increases in border security over the last twenty years have lead to decreases in border arrests for all crimes including: drug trafficking, murder, and robbery. The Wilson Research Center, a research group used by over 16 countries for border statistics, gives reports supporting the increase of border security every year. Their research shows drastic decreases in drug apprehension after the Formation of the Department of Homeland Security Border Security Sector. Yes, the Mexican drug cartels have become more organized and powerful, but according to the Department of Homeland Security the current administration cut the border security budget four years in a row. During these four years drug trafficking increased ten percent, while

crime in border cities is once again a problem. This research makes clear the need for increased border security in order to protect our border states and cities from illegal drugs and crime. Border security is also essential to protect the Constitutional rights given solely to American citizens. The Constitution gives the protections of the judicial branch, like rights to an attorney and a fair trial, to only those who are considered American citizens. Currently our government, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, is allowing over one million illegal immigrants to hold jobs and take government benefits in the United states. Increased border protection with the deportation of immigrants who have criminal records and cannot maintain a job after six months of the new border security system would ensure the American citizenship is protected, while giving those illegal immigrants who can become productive citizens to actually become citizens. The deportations would also open up jobs to those who are productive American citizens. Adding productive citizens to the American population is the true point of legal immigration, and border security ensures non-productive or criminal persons are not admitted into America. Yes, border security could be viewed as sending an anti-freedom message, but the allowance of illegal immigrants who are currently living in America a chance to prove themselves and become citizens sends a message to the entire world that America is trying to have open arms and bring only productive citizens to America. Border security is clearly the best option to ensure lower amounts of drug trafficking and crime in our border states. Four hundred thousand more pounds of drug related materials were brought into the United States per year after the cuts to border security. It is time that our government protects our border states and cities, allows for new productive citizenship, while removing criminal threats from our nation. Join me in fighting for a nation with both productive citizens and protected borders!