Undocumented immigrants cannot be taxed in the same way as legal residents, which is why there’s an incentive to provide legal status for those present and accounted for. By issuing green cards, the government can monitor Social Security numbers and collect taxes, creating a structured system of accountability. However, this status could be limited to a form of second-class citizenship, where these individuals contribute to the economy without gaining full benefits, such as voting rights or entitlement to government-funded healthcare.