As the 2016 presidential election is quickly approaching, American voters everywhere are once again persuaded and swayed upon the important issues of the future of our great nation. And from the beginning of this great nation of the United States, she beckons many who are weak, without a home, poor; Lady Liberty calls out to the “huddled masses yearning to breathe free” (The New Colossus). The presidential candidates tackle the controversial issue of the integrity of our borders. Do stronger border restrictions and even a wall deter immigrants and falsify the meaning of freedom as expressed in “The New Colossus”? On the contrary, stronger borders and tougher immigration laws will benefit this country greatly, have a minimal effect to the idea of freedom expressed above, and even expand on the freedom of those who truly want to be apart of our great nation and exemplify those who have fallen in the fight to protect the freedom that we so deeply cherish. Illegal immigrants sneak into America …show more content…
People died for it, are still dying for it, and many immigrants have walked the physically and emotionally taxing journey to becoming a member of the united states. It is not impossible. The article, “A Legal Immigrant’s American Dream” by Onuora Amobi was published by the Wallstreet Journal. It tells of a girl who paid the toll, walked, and waiting in the day-long lines at the American Embassy, to being sworn in (5 years later) as a U.S. citizen (Amobi). But even she, a former immigrant and present Democrat, cannot fathom why people see it okay to enter the country illegally and expect to stay, “I also have two questions: Why are they better than all the people from my country who slept in their cars outside the American Embassy that night 25 years ago? Why are they better than all the people in other countries who want to live here?”
We live in a nation that has been called the land of opportunities, a nation that was developed on the hands, sweats and hard work of many people. These same people are those who are from here but are poor, or who come here for a better life and migrated from other countries some by force and others by choice. We live in a country that many look at immigrants as if they are different from the rest, what makes them different is how they speak or dress. At the end of it all we are all humans and they should not be considered to be call illegal immigrants. What is so illegal about that is the question to ask, and why it is that one word is the one to define someone’s character of who they are. One piece of paper is what define who we are in this
The United States was formed by the immigration of many people from all over the world. Americans take pride in knowing that we are a people of vast ethnic backgrounds and culture. However, at the present time, the flow of illegal immigration, as well as a large influx of other legal immigrants is placing a strain on our land of "huddled masses." Legal immigration to the United States can easily be handled and is welcomed by most Americans. However, the flow of illegal immigrants, especially from Mexico, must be stemmed, due to the strain it is placing on the government, (at the local, state and federal level), as well as the general population. Illegal immigrants are costing the United States over 24 billion dollars a year in taxpayers money (National Review 12.13.93). Something must be done to reduce the flow of illegal immigration into the United States. The focus of this paper will be the problems caused by and possible solutions to the problem of illegal immigration.
Martin Luther King's' speech "I have a dream" showed that no matter race, beliefs or gender, people can improve their destiny. Through determination, Martin Luther King and his followers managed to make the American dream more attainable for millions of black Americans. The American dream consists of having equal access to opportunities for economic prosperity through hard work. This belief was incredibly important, during the novel's times Of Mice and Men, as farmers abandoned their land, due to natural disasters in the dust bowl, and moved to California to pursue their dream. This also affects the characters Crooks, Curley's wife and George. In his novel, John Steinbeck
When things go downhill in your life, you tend to only focus on what you’re going through and completely ignore the fact that many others could be going through the same exact thing. It’s not easy to accept that other people are feeling the same pain as you. Something goes wrong, it’s like the end of the world for you. That was me at the age of 9.
In America, there are many considerable companies created by immigrants during the height of immigration. During the early 1900s, the American Dream was in full swing and patriotism was found amongst most Americans. During this time, Americans had a sense of vivaciousness when talking about America and the economy. With the roaring 20s and significant economic growth in the 1910s, many non-natives flocked to America in search of a better life. However, as time went on and America’s economy started to adjust, the American Dream and patriotism of indigenous Americans also evolved. Bogged down with the aftermath of the Great Depression in the 1930s, second and third generation Americans fell out of love with America. Immigrants kept hope though,
For many Mexican immigrants, crossing the border into the land of freedom and the American dream is no easy task. Some immigrants come over illegally by means of hiding in cars to cross borders, using visitor visas to stay longer, marrying to become citizens, and having babies as ‘anchors’ to grant automatic citizenship. Other immigrants gain green cards and work visas and work their way into becoming US citizens legally and subsequently gaining citizenship through paperwork for their families back home. After escaping harsh living and working conditions in Mexico, immigrants come to America prepared to gain education, opportunity, and work. This American dream unfortunately does not come to pass for most.
Other countries see the United States as a land of opportunity and freedom. Because of this, Americans should be honored and willing to share their concept of freedom and equality with others. Instead, immigrants are forced to jump through hoops and struggle with red tape in hopes of experiencing American life. Currently, this hyped preconception is causing the immigration rate to become out of hand. With the illegal immigrate population growing by over 300,000 annually, it has developed into a national controversy. Like pouring sugar into a cup of coffee: some people don’t want any at all, while others think “the more the merrier”. This rift between parties will only be bridged by implementing a new, reformed immigration policy that incorporates the best of both worlds.
The "American dream" is different for every person. To some it means financial success, to others it means freedom of expression, while others dream to practice their religion without fear. The "American dream" is a complex concept providing immigrants with the hope of better life. The U.S. government provides the environment and resources for everyone to pursue their dreams. Each year millions of people around the world apply for the Diversity Visa lottery program provided by the U.S. government, however only a few thousand people are lucky enough to come here. America is the place where people are judged by their achievements instead of having references or connections. Even though the American economy is in recession and the achieving of the American Dream is harder, many immigrants still achieve religious, political, financial, and sports dreams here in the U.S.
America is sometimes referred to as a "nation of immigrants" because of our largely open-door policy toward accepting foreigners pursuing their vision of the American Dream. Recently, there has been a clamor by some politicians and citizens toward creating a predominantly closed-door policy on immigration, arguing that immigrants "threaten" American life by creating unemployment by taking jobs from American workers, using much-needed social services, and encroaching on the "American way of life." While these arguments may seem valid to many, they are almost overwhelmingly false, and more than likely confused with the subject of illegal immigration. In fact, immigrants actually enhance American life by creating, not taking jobs, bolster social service funds through tax payments, and bring valuable technical knowledge and skills to our country. If we are to continue to excel as a nation, the traditionalists who fear an encroachment of foreign-born Americans must learn to accept that we achieved our greatness as a result of being "a nation of immigrants."
A topic crucial to the world today is illegal immigration. Illegal immigration is when people live in a country without permission from the government, nor have any legal documentation. As more and more illegal immigrants enter the United States, it either upsets some people, or others feel like they should just grant them ability to pursue life, liberty, and happiness because that is what the Constitution says. Some people feel that illegal immigrants should be protected by the same rights and laws as American citizens. On the other hand, many people believe that this is a horrible mistake. They feel that the rights of citizenship should be earned and not extended to people who haven broken the law just by being in the United States.
The American Dream is that dream of a nation in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with options for each according to capacity or accomplishments. It is a dream of social stability in which each man and each woman shall be able to achieve to the fullest distinction of which they are essentially competent, and be distinguished by others for what they are, despite of the incidental conditions of birth or stance. People consider America the land of opportunities, a new beginning to a new life in which they can strive and succeed. America is known as the land of the free where if you have the perseverance you can achieve what you want from life. However does the American Dream apply to even those of color equally? Does the American Dream favor those who aren't Caucasian but of different pigments and ethnicities? Throughout history, immigrants and people of color have been cut short from certain carriers or occupations due to their race or ethnicity. An example from history was when The Irish migrated to the United States during the Great Irish Famine in the 19th century and they were banned from finding jobs or careers. When the Americans saw the Indian citizens who became citizens based off marriage back in the day succeeding in their business careers they passed on a law that stopped the Indians from marrying Americans which made the Indians lose their land owning right and businesses. When the African American slaves were first brought onto US land, they had no other option yet to be a slave and work under the command of Americans while the Americans set out to fulfill their American dreams. Have things changed around however throughout history? In my opinion, it is more unrealistic than realistic today...
At a young age, my teachers and parents taught me to believe that I could do and accomplish anything that I set my mind to. I grew up thinking that I was unstoppable and that the only limit to my achievements was the sky. However, during my second year in high school, I began to realize that I was not as unstoppable as I had thought. I began to experience the consequences of my parent’s decision of bringing me to the United States illegally. Among those consequences were, not being able to apply for a job, obtain a driver’s license or take advantage of the dual enrollment program at my high school, simply because I did not possess a social security number. I remember thinking that all of my hard work was in vain and that I was not going to
Since the start of the twentieth century America has attracted people all over the world to relocate and start a new life. For many coming to America was a chance for a better life and new things. They all had something in common, they all had a dream, that dream was the "American Dream". In the present day the desire to achieve the dream hasn't changed. However, the idea of the American Dream, brings up a lot of questions. What is the American Dream? Who defines it? Can it be achieved? Lastly, should everyone have a chance to achieve it?
Ronald Regan describes America as, “…a place in the divine scheme that was set aside as a promised land” (“Loosing the American Dream”). Do Regan’s words have any truth to them? How can America be a promised land when immigrants are still fighting for the chance to pursue the American Dream and social acceptance? Immigrants have different motives for coming to America some may seek citizenship for political freedoms that they once did not have due to uprising civil wars in their native country. Others may come for social freedoms that they were not awarded in their home country due to sexual orientation. Others may come for economic freedoms that allows them to go from rags to riches. No matter the reason, immigrants risk everything for a chance to pursue the American dream. So why is it so hard for immigrants to earn a spot as a citizen of the United States of America? Why are immigrants still facing narrow-mindedness criticism for being foreign? It is time for Americans to change their prejudice views of immigrants.
While immigration for our country is good, the ability to become a legal citizen has become insanely hard, therefore leading immigrants to illegally cross our border, which negatively impacts our country. Immigration is positive for our country’s economy, although illegal immigration is negatively impacting our country. Resolved to join the American way of life, a large number of outsiders have ventured to this extraordinary land to have an existence based upon “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Determined to join the American lifestyle, thousands of immigrants have journeyed to this great land to have a life based upon “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” This country’s backbone is immigration and it started when this country was made.