On Saturday, we reported that the number of undocumented immigrants in New Hampshire and Massachusetts grew by about 60,000 from 2007-17. This is according to Pew Research Center, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank.

This increase is contrary to the nationwide estimate, which shows the U.S. total number of unauthorized immigrants dropped from 12.2 million to 10.5 million during the same time period.

Undoubtedly, the subject of illegal immigration is radioactive in terms of political discourse. On one end of the spectrum, we find President Donald Trump and his strident supporters. They want to build a more elaborate wall at the southern border to prevent illegal entry – and want to round up and deport many or all of the undocumented immigrants.

On the other extreme, we find left-wing Democrats who want give citizenship status to all undocumented immigrants. As for a border, Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke earlier this year actually said he would prefer to tear down portions of wall that currently exist at our nation’s border with Mexico.

How did we get to this point?

1. Most Democrats elected to serve in Washington, D.C. – They know recent immigrants are far more likely to vote for them than they are for Republicans. It’s really that simple.

2. Many Republicans elected to serve in Washington, D.C. – The fact is that plenty of Republicans are also to blame for this situation. Their corporate donors and chamber of commerce-type supporters appreciate the plentiful cheap labor that comes in the form of recent immigrants.

3. The challenging and even sometimes dangerous circumstances people face in their homelands.

Although overall illegal immigration has declined since 2007, the flow from certain countries has significantly increased, according to Pew.

• El Salvador: From 600,000 in 2007 to 750,000 in 2017

• Guatemala: From 400,000 in 2007 to 600,000 in 2017

• India: From 325,000 in 2007 to 525,00 in 2017

Realistically, can anyone blame people for wanting to leave these places behind by migrating to the U.S.? We think not.

We firmly believe that most immigrants, whether they are legal or undocumented, travel to America for the same reasons people have for centuries – the opportunity for a better life. We know for a fact that many recent immigrants are willing to work harder and longer to provide for their families than are plenty of people whose ancestors arrived in America centuries ago.

Therefore, for those who oppose illegal immigration, we ask you to appropriately focus your anger toward Washington, D.C. politicians, rather than on the immigrants who are often working harder than many Americans of European descent.