THERE ARE FEW topics in our country that ignite more fiery debate than immigration.

According to the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), there are now a record number of immigrants living in the United States -- about 37.9 million. But it is the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants who generate the most controversy. California has more illegals than any other state -- an estimated 2.4 million, according to the Public Policy Institute of California.

In an era of government cost cutting, the public costs of recent immigrants to our nation, both legal and illegal, have come under scrutiny. It is thought that as many as one-third of recent immigrants use some sort of public assistance. Because of their lower education levels, a very large share of immigrant households have meager incomes, and thus qualify for these services. About a third lack health insurance as well, so no debate about health care in this country can ignore this fact.

While illegals cannot use the welfare system themselves, their U.S.-born children can be enrolled in Medicaid and receive food assistance. And the total cost for educating illegal aliens and the U.S.-born children of illegal aliens likely comes to over $30 billion a year, CIS studies show.

On the other side of the argument are those who say the immigrant workforce is a necessary component of our economy. More than 90 percent of illegal households have at least one worker, much higher than the rate for native households.

"Undocumenteds actually contribute more to public coffers in taxes than they cost in social services," writes Francine Lipman, a professor of law at Chapman University. "Moreover, undocumented immigrants contribute to the U.S. economy through their investments and consumption of goods and services..."

And while it is probable those undocumented workers with school-age children do take in more than they pay out, that is true for native families with children, as well. Education is undoubtedly the key to bringing these families out of poverty.

Yet despite all the turmoil, we cannot forget we are a nation of immigrants. Nearly every family has an ancestor who came to the United States looking for a better life.

I AM TURNING OVER the bulk of this entry to my daughter, Amber, who is a freshman at Emory University in Atlanta. Amber volunteers every week at DeKalb Technical Institute as an English tutor for recent immigrants to the United States. She has also worked with many young immigrant families through the Neighborhood for Learning project in Ventura and Head Start in Ojai.

I am sharing her stories here because I recognize there is a common bond between those she tutors in Atlanta and the immigrants who live here in our community. My daughter has recognized a work ethic and fierce determination in these people and it has inspired her: