Immigration policy is arguably one of the most-debated topic in current American politics. As the influx of Mexican immigrants in America has risen sharply in the last forty years, it has increasingly become an important issue – especially during election season.

According to the Migration Policy Institute, “more than 11.7 million Mexican immigrants resided in the United States,” in 2014. “[Mexican Immigrants] account for 28 percent of the 42.4 million foreign-born population—by far the largest immigrant origin group in the country.”

These numbers are especially evident in Texas, one of six states in the U.S that contain the largest concentrated population of Mexican immigrants, according to the Pew research center.

South Texas is the region of the state most affected by immigration policy. From the small border towns of Brownsville and Pharr to the sprawling urban centers of Austin and San Antonio resides a dense population of Mexican immigrants; and with it, a plethora of problems.

Although presidential candidates have focused their campaigns on positing solutions to issues like border walls, deportation and detainment policies, education and employment, they have each employed distinct rhetoric that has proved just as – if not more- crucial to voters.

Surprisingly, despite presidential candidate Donald Trump’s harsh anti-immigration rhetoric, there are a number of immigrants and their families who favor his straight-forward policies. There are also plenty who don’t, preferring Ted Cruz’s more compassionate approach.

Unsurprisingly, opinions on immigration vary almost as widely as the assortment of nationalities residing in the U.S.

According to a Univision poll taken last summer, “8 in 10 Hispanic voters have an unfavorable view of Trump.”

However,  according to CNN entrance polls, Trump got a whopping 44% of Latino support.

On the democratic side, presidential candidate Hillary Clinton says that only criminal illegals should be deported, not hard working families who are stabilizing the economy.

Bernie Sanders says if elected, he will allow immigrants to purchase health coverage under the Affordable Care Act.

No matter which presidential candidate people are voting for, a nation of immigrants is helping to create laws that will act as precedent for future immigration policies and reforms.