America has long been known as the land of opportunity, thanks in no small part to the contributions of immigrants seeking a better life. As the daughter of a hardworking Mexican immigrant , I understand the cost of the American dream. Growing up, it was normal to translate for neighbors and family from Spanish to English, and I recall helping teachers and classmates communicate as early as preschool.

But with more than 2 million illegal immigrants entering the U.S. in 2022 alone, we must ensure that a path to opportunity exists on the other side of the golden door. Communities such as El Centro, Calif., Yuma, Ariz., and Del Rio, Texas, have been beacons of prosperity for migrants for generations, but now their residents, including families like mine, are tired, poor, and in desperate need of help .

Immigration is a complicated and complex issue but securing our border is not. No one knows this better than the immigrants who came here legally, who fought for the opportunity to pursue the American dream in a way that respects this nation’s sovereignty and its laws. We understand that a secure border is not partisan or controversial; it is a matter of public health, economic solvency, and national security.

Unfortunately, due to Congress's failure to act on the crisis at our southern border, America’s border communities have been left to shoulder the economic and social costs of a broken immigration system. Now, many of these communities are on the brink of collapse, and state leaders have been criticized for attempting to alleviate problems that they did not create.

In towns like El Centro and Yuma, for example, America’s migrant crisis has become a public health emergency. This year alone, at least two hospitals on our southern border have had to consider closing their doors. Since hospitals treat patients regardless of their ability to pay, the largely uninsured migrant population has drained border hospitals of the financial resources necessary to serve their patients.

These communities need federal solutions. But until then, governors of states such as Arizona, California, Florida, and Texas have little choice but to act as gatekeepers of the American dream. Even California’s Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has spoken openly about the crisis at the border and has called out President Joe Biden for his refusal to secure the southern border .

Former Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey leveraged available resources to enhance border security between Arizona and Mexico by creating a barrier with shipping containers .

Likewise, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott continues to build a wall along the Mexico and Texas border, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has relocated migrants to states that have embraced open border policies.

Our federal leaders’ refusal to take meaningful action on America’s border crisis has forced state leaders to make the hard choices necessary to ensure the future of the American dream. Every immigrant has a story that will break your heart, but it is irresponsible to leave the door open and not protect your own citizens. Thankfully, our state leaders have picked up the mantle and assumed responsibility for their citizens where the federal government has failed.

Brittany Corfman Parks is a James Madison Institute Fellow and a proud first-generation Mexican American. In 2020, Brittany served as Florida’s Trump Victory Deputy State Director and Director of Strategic Initiatives.