Debate over illegal immigration is still raging

By ALEJANDRO CANO
Published: Thursday, November 12, 2009 2:22 PM CST

Some people are convinced that illegal immigration is the reason why the United States is mired in its current economic mess.

They claim that illegal immigrants steal jobs from U.S. citizens; that they are an expensive nuisance; that they have filled schools, prisons and hospitals; and that they all should be deported back to their countries of origin.

On the other hand, supporters of undocumented workers say they are grateful for these immigrants’ contributions to society.

The controversial topic of illegal immigration fills the airwaves of talk radio and cable TV and is one that President Barack Obama promised to address.

NumbersUSA.com, an organization that supports lower immigration levels, argues that illegal immigrants are a tax burden that cost $1,178 per native household in California and are responsible for more than 45 percent of the state’s school children, costing California’s taxpayers more than $26 billion each year.

NumbersUSA.com also argues that nationwide non-native households are 59 percent more likely to take advantage of a state or federal welfare program than a native household, and that illegal immigrants withdraw $10 for every $1 they contribute to the Social security system.

As an example of the “burdenâ€