Immigration is what made America what it is today. In fact, there would be no America if it weren't for immigration because everyone in the country is either an immigrant or a direct descendant of one. The oldest inhabitants, the Native Americans, also emigrated from Asia. The rest of us come from all different places in the world. Countries such as England, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, China, Germany, and many others helped populate the United States. Immigration began with the inception of our nation and has never seen since and has continued every year. Each wave of immigrants brings new ideas and cultures as people integrate with other Americans. Immigration is certainly a necessity, but if uncontrolled it can also have devastating effects on the country's economy and population. Therefore, immigration is only good if it is limited immigration. I believe that the immigration policy the country currently has is controlled and is good policy. Immigration to a controlled state can have positive effects on the economy. They pay taxes and start businesses that increase GDP. The founder of Hotmail was an Indian immigrant with only $200. His company has certainly had a positive effect on the American economy. The most comprehensive study of immigration, completed by the National Research Council, found that immigration provides an overall modest net gain for the United States. In an $8 trillion economy, $7 to $10 billion a year is earned through immigration. Some local governments feel financial strain in states with large numbers of immigrants, particularly California, the report said, because those families are more likely to have school-age children, rely on social services and pay lower taxes than residents natives. But overall, the results are positive. Immigration, if left unchecked, will massacre the country's economy. Since many of the immigrants who come to the country arrive with nothing but the clothes on their backs, billions of dollars would have to be spent just to keep the immigrant alive. Uncontrolled immigration would spell the end for today's average middle-class family. Working for next to nothing, immigrants would flood the workforce, forcing middle-class workers out of work and into poverty. We would see our wonderful nation slide into the realm of third world country. Immigration should not be stopped completely. We have many things to thank immigrants for. Immigrants from China built the Transcontinental Railroad, which united our country by connecting the East and the West.