The problem, both here and in the UK is integration.

From personal experience in Britain I know that there are many immigrants, legal and illegal, who refuse to learn to speak English or to mix with the locals. Mind you, the same could be said, even today, of the Brits who upsticks to live in France and Spain but in little ex-pat communities.

However, in general those people are not expecting, and won't get, support of any kind from the government of the country they have moved to whereas those coming into the UK in particular do, in the form of housing, medical attention and cash.

I agree with Leadfingers - the present situation does give ammunition to those with an agenda. There needs to be a tighter control on immigration and maybe heavier penalties on those employing illegals in both the UK and the USA.