Immigrants may try to enter the United States illegally for a variety of reasons. Among these reasons are to get jobs they hope will improve their financial situation, to reunite with family members in the United States, and to find political freedom. There's ongoing debate in the United States about how many immigrants should be admitted and under what conditions. Meanwhile, smugglers known as coyotes take advantage of the situation by collecting thousands of dollars from those wishing to cross the border illegally. For their money, immigrants often endure days or even weeks of unpleasant conditions and no guarantees of success or even survival.