This year, many will engage the age-old holiday tradition of heated political debate with your loved ones. With mathematical certainty, someone will mention immigration. It makes sense that immigration finds itself at the center of so much contentious political discourse. After all, immigration reflects who we are as a country. Our country is built upon the unique and diverse contributions of countless cultures and people. In a more tangible sense, this country is the product of the economic contributions of immigrants. In fact, today, the United States is home to more immigrant workers than any other country on earth. Over the course of the 20th century, the United States built itself into an economic world power, largely reliant upon immigrant workers. The country now seeks to maintain its status as an economic leader, but immigration reform poses significant barriers to economic progress. With news of economic downturn, the real-world impact of American immigration policy is in the spotlight.