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Although the rate of illegal immigration has steadily risen over the past twenty years, the U.S. government has taken little to no precaution to stop it. Not only do they flood into our country, they drain welfare programs at a faster rate than native born citizens. A study of the different types of households showed that "in 2009, 57 percent of households headed by an immigrant with children [under 18] used at least one welfare program, compared to 39 percent for native households with children" (Camarota 1). From then to present day, according to Fred Dardick, there has not been a "single practical solution that will do anything to stem the tide that is threatening to overwhelm our nation." However, while the Obama administration has signed off on immigration documents that should reduce the amount of illegal immigrants and make way for more productive educational spending, only a fraction them have been implemented properly. Dana Marks, federal judge and president of the National Association of Immigration Judges, agrees with this claim when she asserts that U.S. immigration courts are the "forgotten step child[ren] within the Department of Justice" (qtd. in Marshall 1). As immigration courts are overflowing, it's judges feel a growing "pressure to do things more quickly," and claim that decision making has also become increasingly "more difficult [when] deciding the fate of a child" (Marshall 2). .
Our country's fast draining resources are the leading negative effects of illegal immigration. By preventing future illegal immigration, the United States would save a tremendous amount of money. All citizens in the United States are required to pay taxes. Illegal immigrants, however, do not because there is no documentation of them living on U.S. soil. Along with taking away one of the country's main sources of income, these immigrants still utilize public services.
