America is often called a melting pot; there are people from all over the world with different cultures and backgrounds. For decades, immigration has been the backbone of our arts, industry and culture. This makes America unique. Immigration was regulated as early as the late 1800s, when the first processing center opened on Ellis Island. The issue of immigration is a complex and controversial debate today. There are millions of illegal immigrants in the country and even more people trying to enter legally through the system. There is no one solution to immigration, making it a hot topic with a plethora of opinions. Although one thing Americans seem to agree on is that the laws are inefficient and that reforms are needed. New immigration laws must consist of stronger border enforcement to prevent illegal immigrants and other contraband from crossing the border, make entry visas more selective, and answer the question of what to do with the millions of illegal immigrants who live in the United States. Weak border enforcement allows millions of immigrants to cross the border illegally. In her statement supporting comprehensive immigration reform, Dianne Feinstein, a California senator who serves on the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Control, and Citizenship, talks about how tunnels harboring “large-scale smuggling of drugs, guns and immigrants” are not illegal (Kirszner and Mandell 656). Furthermore, Feinstein advocates for stronger border control so that “legal immigration can be handled in a more timely manner” (657). He is right that we need more border controls and legislation to outlaw tunnels. If the borders were tightened this would allow us to focus on trying to enter the country legally. It's......middle of paper......immigrants. When the United States soccer team played Mexico in Los Angeles in 1998, the Star Spangled banner was mocked. “The Mexican-American crowd showered the American team with water bombs, beer bottles, and trash.”(674). Feinstein adds, “American players later said they were better received in Mexico City than in their own country” (674). Lisa Chavez, in an article titled American Dreams, Foreign Flags urges Latino immigrants to change their approach if they want to be effective. Chavez talks about protesters shouting “Si, se puede!” (Yes, we can) and have signs that say “We didn't cross the border, the border crossed us” (651). There needs to be a limit on entry visas as America assimilates immigrants here, and the installation of a points system to allow skilled immigrants from around the world to contribute to America's prosperity.