Skip to Content (press Enter/Return)
preview

Assimilation into the United States

analytical Essay
1819 words
Open Document
1819 words
  • Small
  • Normal
  • Large
  • Huge
bookmark

Political Science 355

Reflection Paper: Assimilation into the United States

Immigrants leave their countries in search for a better life and improvement of their situation. There is no singular reason for immigration; motivations range from better economic prospects to political safety. As of late, the number of immigrants living in the United States is an estimated 11 million. Those who immigrate are expected to contribute to the United States culturally, politically, and economically. Yet, full assimilation becomes difficult to achieve when the immigrant is made into “the other” by the country of reception.

The interaction between the immigrant and the citizens of the receiving country varies on whether or not their introduction into the new country is seen as a loss or something positive. These differing stances serve as a buffer for an immigrant’s desires, as they can either advance or stagger depending on how far their new situation allows them to advance. For this reason, the likely success of the individual depends on the descending community’s desire to embrace them. This acceptance or denial presents itself in the form of the resources available to “the other.” If these outsiders are not given the tools with which to function properly they will likely find solace in the ethnic specific networks that provide them with a means to survive.

The distance between the new arrivals and the natives fosters a sense of distrust on both ends. However, the concern that the growing population of immigrants will compromise America’s national identity undermines our national reality. Historically, those who have willingly immigrated to the United States have had a desire to become part of American society, crossing borders and seas t...

... middle of paper ...

...influenced. This correspondence leads to individual growth because it pushes our understanding. As we begin to see the individual as a person and not as an “other,” we can, as a country, grow stronger. Regardless of our growing humanitarian stance towards immigration reform, many Americans still insist on having English as our national language. Though speaking the language would greatly close the distance witnessed in towns like Shelbyville, we must provide methods for language acquisition by working through difference. With the transition towards inclusiveness, an increasingly global perspective should also follow suit.

Works Cited

Portes, Alejandro, and Ruben G. Rumbaut. Immigrant America: A Portrait. N.p.: University of California Press, 2006.

Snyder, Kim A. Welcome to Shelbyville . DVD. 2009. , 2011.

In this essay, the author

  • Explains that immigrants leave their countries in search of a better life and improvement of their situation. there is no singular reason for immigration; motivations range from better economic prospects to political safety.
  • Explains that the interaction between the immigrant and the citizens of the receiving country varies on whether or not their introduction into the new country is seen as a loss or something positive.
  • Argues that the distance between new arrivals and natives fosters a sense of distrust on both ends. the negative response to immigrants predates the current mexico/us border conflict.
Continue ReadingCheck Writing Quality

Harness the Power of AI to Boost Your Grades!

  • Haven't found what you were looking for? Talk to me, I can help!
Related
  • analytical
  • opinion
  • argumentative
  • explanatory
  • The Pros And Cons Of Immigration In America
    analytical essay
    Immigration in America in recent years has continued to rise steadily. Why? What do they want? Do these immigrants even contribute to society or are they just simply here to do diabolical deeds? Jie Zong and Jeanne Batalova assert “In 2013, approximately 41.3 million immigrants lived in the United States, an all-time high for a nation historically built on immigration” (par.1). Every year millions of immigrants migrate into the U.S looking for better job opportunities or searching for freedom that is limited to them elsewhere. Reporter Janelle Ross contends “America is a much more diverse country — in every region — than it was during the last century. That is largely due to the nearly record-topping share of the country 's population that

    In this essay, the author

    • Argues that immigration in america in recent years has continued to rise steadily. they argue that the u.s. government should not deport immigrants but admit them as a vital part of society.
    • Argues that immigrants are essential to the u.s. economy, but many economists disagree. immigrants take away what natives are supposed to be benefiting from.
    • Explains that immigration is a symbolic part of american society. it's an integral component of the structural fiber that has kept the great melting pot flowing with creative ingenuity.
    1029 words
    Read More
  • Ronald Kaki's A Different Mirror By Ronald Takaki
    analytical essay
    America is a land filled with immigrants coming from different corners of the worlds, all in hopes of finding a better life in the country. However, No one had an easy transition from his or her home country to this foreign land. Not every race thrived the same way—some were luckier than others, while some have faced enormous obstacles in settling down and being part of the American society. Many people have suffered

    In this essay, the author

    • Analyzes ronald takaki's book, 'a different mirror', about how people in america are viewed through the "master narrative of american history".
    • Explains that america is a land filled with immigrants from different corners of the world, all in hopes of finding better life in the country.
    • Explains that african-americans suffered under the scope of the master narratives. they were subjected to white slave owners from the 1600s, and were denied the same privileges as white people.
    1069 words
    Read More
  • How Did Immigration Affect American Immigration
    analytical essay
    Immigration has been a huge factor in the nation of the United States of America since the conception of the country. Be it through Christopher Columbus’ journey to North America or even the current trend of immigration by many Hispanics to America. There are many different impacts that each set of peoples has brought to the States through the mixture of their own cultures as they assimilate into America’s own way of life. Many have left homes because the country they decided to leave was far too poor, dangerous, unstable, etc. Some come as children looking for safe haven, while others come as adults looking for a new way of life. Many come to America for the “American Dream” that is often thought of when thinking of beginning life in this

    In this essay, the author

    • Explains that immigration has been a huge factor in the united states of america since the conception of the country.
    • Explains that certain immigrants assimilate faster than others and different immigrants may reject the ideals of their new country. antonio vera and his wife, clariver, came to the united states with their three children.
    • Describes how the brothers and parents have fully embraced the lifestyle and culture change by moving to a brand new country. they eat cuban food and enjoy the little slice of home that has been brought on by their fellow immigrants.
    1713 words
    Read More
  • Difficulty of Immigration in the 1900's versus Previously
    analytical essay
    When most people think about immigration to the United States, they think of the U.S. as being the “land of opportunity,” where they will be able to make all of their dreams come true. For some people, immigration made their lives richer and more fulfilled. This however, was not always the case. A place that is supposed to be a “Golden Land” (Marcus 116) did not always welcome people with open arms. Even after people became legal citizens of the United States, often times the natural born Americans did not treat the immigrants as equals but rather as outsiders who were beneath them in some way. In some situations, people’s lives were made worse by coming to the “land of opportunity.” Often times people were living no better than they were in their own countries not able to make ends meet, just to live in the United States. Virtually all immigrants during the 1900’s had the same dream, to become successful and provide for their families as citizens of the United States, but they soon found out that the life in their new country was not going to be easy.

    In this essay, the author

    • Explains that immigration to the united states made people's lives richer and fulfilled, but it wasn't always the case. the natural born americans treated immigrants as outsiders who were beneath them.
    • Analyzes the common theme faced by all of the immigrants in "letters from the great migration": hardship. they wanted to be able to have a real life and provide for their children.
    • Opines that the hardship of acceptance as a true citizen is still out of reach for many immigrants.
    1134 words
    Read More
  • Pros And Cons Of United States Immigration Policies
    opinion essay
    Immigration is a huge topic in the United States and made the country that it now is today. “Immigration has profoundly shaped American politics and culture. Immigrants not only provided labor for the growing economy but also gave the United States a distinctly unique social and political culture. These effects continue today.”

    In this essay, the author

    • Opines that immigration policies can dramatically change the economy and our daily lives. relegation on immigration will easily result in changes on cultural and religious diversity.
    • Explains that immigration is a huge topic in the united states and has profoundly shaped american politics and culture.
    • Explains that immigration has played a huge role throughout the united states history and is an extremely controversial topic that you pretty much hear of every day. illegal immigrants are thought to be criminals doing only what's worse for the u.s.
    1405 words
    Read More
  • Chinese Immigration History
    analytical essay
    The arrival of immigrants to the United States is often associated with fear. Immigrants are vulnerable to attacks if they are cast as threats to the way of American life. A deeper look into immigration policies reveals that immigrant restrictions are seated in racialized notions. Immigrants before the founding of the nation came for the opportunities of a better life. The immigrants who would continue to come thereafter came for much the same reasons. But government policies demonstrate repeated attempts to block the immigration of undesirable immigrant communities.

    In this essay, the author

    • Explains that immigrants are vulnerable to attacks if they are cast as threats to the way of american life. immigrant restrictions are seated in racialized notions.
    • Analyzes how the bracero program controlled mexican labor and prevented mexican migration into the united states. poor government oversight led to the abuse of mexicans on all spectrums of society.
    • Explains that the period of chinese exclusion from 1882 to 1943 limited legal chinese migration to the united states. paper immigration became a point of attack in disputing chinese legal status.
    1723 words
    Read More
  • Latin American Immigration and the U.S. Immagration Policy
    analytical essay
    Immigration has always been a contentious issue in the United States. Benjamin Franklin thought that the influx in German immigration would flush out the predominately British culture in America at the time. (5) Furthermore, a continual wave of foreign cultures began pouring into the American metropolitan areas at the turn of the 20th century. The migration of Italians, Poles, and Jews across the Atlantic Ocean began a mass assimilation of cultural ideology and customs into the United States, yet many people thought that these migrants could not adapt. Today, the American society has become a melting pot of foreign influence; however, many cynics remain skeptical about the incorporation of Latin American people and their influences. Accordingly, these same critics are just as naïve as their previous counterparts, who refused to accept the many gifts and contributions these immigrants have to offer. We must ask ourselves: How long will it take to peacefully incorporate Spanish immigrants into American society? America was built on the movement of these cultures, and the current population of this country must set aside its non-democratic premonitions, and embrace the historical and positive aspect of Latin American immigration.

    In this essay, the author

    • Argues that welfare reform is a difficult issue that faces this country, as is immigration. the u.s. census bureau concluded that non-native immigrant households received 8.8 percent of government welfare.
    • Explains that the north american free trade agreement (nafta) was set up to induce non-tariff trade, mainly for an economic benefit to each country.
    • Explains borjas, george j., "immigrant participation in the welfare system."
    2102 words
    Read More
  • Essay On Immigration Reform
    argumentative essay
    Immigration had alway been a controversial issue in the United States. More than two centuries ago, Benjamin Franklin worried that too many German immigrants would overrule America’s predominantly British culture. In the mid-1800s, Irish immigrants were known as lazy drunks. At the turn of the century a wave of “new immigrants”, the Poles, Italians, Russian Jews, were believed to be too different ever to assimilate into American life. Today the same fears are raised about immigrants from Latin America, Asia and other parts of the world. The need for extensive immigration reforms within the US have become mandatory since the existing national immigration system is being destroyed. It is undermining the core national values and jeopardizing our economy and security. This research will address how immigration has impacted on the economy and security of America and how immigration reform can resolve some of the threats immigration has on America.

    In this essay, the author

    • Explains that 7 million illegal aliens are residing in the united states, which is a security threat and causes terrorism.
    • Explains that bush never believed in amnesty though he supported the temporary worker program. he supported lifting the limit on h1b visas, which was a solution to deal with the shortage of high tech workers.
    • Argues that america needs a proper immigration policy to attract high skilled labor to the country.
    2424 words
    Read More
  • Tamar Jacoby Analysis
    analytical essay
    The huge wave of immigrants coming into America especially from the developing countries is bound to change the future of the next generation of American citizens. It is estimated that a fifth of the general population comprises of immigrants. In her article, Jacoby expands on how immigrants assimilate in order to penetrate the economic, political and social aspects. She insists that assimilating always works but it must be talked and thought about by the government. There have been several proposals that have been brought forward in order to deal with illegal immigration including blocking immigrants from acquiring a driver’s license without legal documents and denying them access to a temporary legal position.

    In this essay, the author

    • Analyzes how jacoby expands on how immigrants assimilate in order to penetrate the economic, political and social aspects.
    • Analyzes how jacoby provides statistics in her article by stating that nearly a quarter of the american population speaks another language apart from english; an estimated 30 million immigrant children born are now citizens by birth.
    • Explains that america is the dream destination for many immigrants because of the friendly policies they have on immigrants. however, there has been uproar by both politicians and citizens to make stricter policies for the immigrants, since they impact the country in a positive way.
    862 words
    Read More
  • The Importance Of Migration To The United States
    analytical essay
    The United States, a nation founded on a variety of cultural backgrounds, is distinctly shaped by the waves of mass immigration that have occurred since the settling of the original colonies. For hundreds of years, the country has been shaped by the diversity of it’s growing population. With such a large demographic of different cultures, our society stands out through the variety of customs and social habits. Migration to the United States has deeply impacted the foundations of our society, which has molded our societal, economic, and political processes.

    In this essay, the author

    • Explains that the united states is shaped by mass immigration since the settling of the original colonies.
    • Explains that immigration has occurred continuously throughout american history, but large-scale immigration occurs most often during times of economic growth and an increase in job opportunities.
    • Explains that latin america was suffering from an international debt crisis that created political unrest between 1975 and 1982. these countries were at their peak of economic success, leading many creditors to continue providing loans.
    449 words
    Read More
  • Differences Between Transnationalism And Asimilationist Approach To Immigration
    analytical essay
    Our world is constructed of countries that are absolute and singularly naturally occurring. Our identity is partially constructed upon the socio-political image of a national identity; people are often categorized based upon a stereotypical image of their national identity, instead of, a personal experiential relationship. In this essay, I am going to discuss the differences between transnationalism and assimilationist approaches to immigration.

    In this essay, the author

    • Explains that our identity is partially constructed upon the socio-political image of a national identity. transnationalism and assimilationist approaches to immigration are discussed.
    • Analyzes how the speaker emphasized locality over a concept of nationality. she proposed the three rs – ritual, relationship, and restriction -- to identify one’s national origin.
    • Explains that the most predominant belief today is the use of a nation state as the common unit of distinction, where the world is seen as composed of sovereign nation-states, with distinct people, language, and culture.
    1310 words
    Read More
  • Immigration: Important to the Success of America
    explanatory essay
    The United States of America has the largest foreign-born population in the world. With nearly thirteen percent of the total population being foreign-born, one may find it hard to imagine an immigrant-free country (U.S. Bureau of the Census). Immigration has been an integral part of the United States’ overall success and the country’s economy since it was established and without it, would have never been founded at all. Although there are some negative issues associated with immigration and many native-born Americans believe to be more of a problem than a solution, overall it actually has a positive effect. Immigrants in America, among other things, fill jobs where native-born Americans may not want to work or cannot work, they contribute to Social Services and Medicaid through taxes and they help provide the backbone of America, especially by working jobs that natives may have not even considered.

    In this essay, the author

    • Explains that the united states of america has the largest foreign-born population in the world. immigration has been an integral part of the country's success and economy since it was established.
    • Explains that immigration will always be a factor in the development of the united states. emigrants are motivated for success and well-educated.
    • Explains the benefits of immigration for the baby boomers, stating that the foreign-born work force will be able to supplement the native labor force to satiate the financial needs through taxes.
    910 words
    Read More
  • America Needs Immigration Reform
    analytical essay
    Back in the 1700s, as English men and women traveled to American land in the Mayflower, among other ships, the foreigners were considered “immigrants.” Many of the ideals of immigration are actually the basis of our country, contributing to our metaphor of the melting pot and giving people the opportunity to chase the “American dream.” Ralph Waldo Emerson, one of the greatest writers in time, even wrote that “a nation, like a tree, does not thrive well till it is engraffed with a foreign stock,” and that immigration is a phenomenon that will construct a new future for America. In recent years, the debate on immigration has sparked many legislative and foreign policies, jostling concerns about the economy, the environment, social services, and ethnic relations.

    In this essay, the author

    • Explains that immigration reduction advocates a reduction in the amount of immigration allowed into the country. these include stronger action to prevent illegal entry and illegal immigration, and reductions in non-immigrant temporary work visas.
    • Explains that the ideals of immigration are the basis of our country, contributing to our metaphor of the melting pot and giving people the opportunity to chase the "american dream."
    • Analyzes how an article on choices.edu compiles a list of questions to consider while determining personal opinions on the immigration situation.
    1018 words
    Read More
  • English Should Be the Official Language of the United States
    explanatory essay
    Perea, Juan. Immigrants Out! The New Nativism and the Anti-Immigrant Impulse in the United States. New York or London: New York University Press, 1997. Print.

    In this essay, the author

    • Opines that english as the official language of the united states could benefit the u.s. government and america as a whole.
    • Opines that if english was the official language, we would be responsible for insuring that everyone gets a chance to learn the language.
    • Explains that the army and federal court system operate in english for practical reasons, and by having an official language, the workings of the government would be streamlined.
    1713 words
    Read More
Continue Reading