A lot may have to do with the skills and education that immigrants used to arrive with. Once upon a time, America drew Europe's best and brightest from overseas - those who wanted their hard work to pay off better in a land of golden opportunity. But in the modern American welfare state, more immigrants are coming across the border with Mexico fully aware of the golden gravy train of free US government handouts, often arriving with no education, skills, or any immediate need to struggle to put food on the table.