America has quite a tradition when it comes to immigration.

Let's face it: Everybody has some link to another country, whether they are new to this nation or can trace their ancestry to the Mayflower or the native people who were living in what is now the United States.

In the early days, people clamored to escape their impoverished life, religious persecution and find their dream in America, where people could be free to accomplish anything they wanted so long as they worked hard. Well, at least that was the idea.

Now, immigrants continue to pour into the United States, some legal, many illegal.

There are benefits to illegal immigration. First, these people do an awful lot of jobs that many citizens simply don't want to do. That helps keep the costs of many things down, particularly produce.

However, there is also no denying there are many negatives, particularly when it comes to costs of education and health care.

We can argue whether we should let in any immigrant who wants to cross the border, but the simple fact of the matter is anyone who runs across the border without filing appropriate paperwork and going through the legal process is here illegally.

Now, often the Border Patrol has authorized raids to round up illegal immigrants. In fact, using intelligence information, the agents are rounding up these people to the tune of 860,000 nationwide, most of whom are from Mexico.

In the month of June, 420 were taken into custody in Riverside and San Diego counties alone.

However, many Latino activists see this as an outrage, evidence that the Border Patrol is inherently racist.

These activists have spread out across Southern California protesting the raids, including those conducted by 12 agents based in Temecula. Recently, protesters targeted the Border Patrol station on Rancho Way, demanding an end to these raids.

In defense, Border Patrol spokesman Mario Villarreal states that the majority of illegal immigrants in this area are from Mexico, and the agents are simply doing their job.

Protesters argue that instead of deporting immigrants, we should go after the businesses that exploit the migrants.

The simple fact of the matter is that the Border Patrol is doing exactly what they are supposed to do. If a person is here illegally, it is up to agents to detain them and deport them. If someone wants to immigrate to this country, they need to do it legally.

If we want to change the laws concerning immigration that's fine, but until then, anyone -- no matter how good their intentions -- who comes to this country without going through the process is here illegally.

On the other hand, the activists have a good argument in some respects.

We need to go after corporations and businesses that hire illegal immigrants.

They are exploiting the migrant work force because they know they can pay these people far below a decent wage. The only way to punish these companies is with steep fines. If we hit them in their pocketbook, they'll stop hiring illegal immigrants.

Of course, that also means we need more agents and more financial resources. It may very well mean higher prices in some cases.

Regardless, the Border Patrol is perfectly correct in conducting the raids.

Jim Dail lives in Temecula and is a regular columnist for The Californian; e-mail: dailjim@hotmail.com