Immigration has become a serious social problem in the United States, specifically illegal immigration. Whether immigrants are coming to America illegally or legally they are immigrating for the same reasons. The big question is what makes an immigrant an illegal immigrant. They can be classified illegal by entering without authorization or inspection, by staying beyond the authorized period after legal entry, or by violating the terms of legal entry. Many immigrants immigrate to the United States looking for a better life for themselves and their children. Some immigrants are trying to escape violence such as genocide within their countries so they look upon America for new hope. Also, work within these countries is very limited, making it …show more content…
For example, in the 1800’s many individuals in different parts of the world would come to America fleeing land and job shortages, famine, taxes, seeking personal freedom, and even escaping religious prosecution. The U.S was perceived as the land of economic opportunity which is why the immigrants chose The United States. Vast amounts of Immigrants such as the Irish came in the 1800’s. The Irish were escaping a potato famine and looked upon the U.S for a better life. Once the Irish came to America it was a huge controversy because they weren’t skilled workers, brought in Catholicism which was a threat to other religions, and were very poor. Like now, many citizens of the United States that have been immigrated to America for a long time felt that immigrants were a threat because they would take away jobs opportunities from the citizens which is why they disliked them. The opening of Ellis Island is also an example of this. In 1892 the United States opened Ellis Island, an immigration station in New York Harbor that has come to symbolize the multiethnic composition of the country and the blending of many heritages into one American identity.( Preface to "How Does Illegal Immigration Impact America?") Ellis Island was predominantly composed of Europeans who sought illegal immigration for new hope and freedom. The influx of illegal immigrants took a toll on the economy of the United States …show more content…
Social constructionism is how society groups people and how it privileges certain groups over others. Many individuals believe that illegal immigration has become troublesome, widespread, and something that needs shape. Society is presuming illegal immigration out to be bad for the economy which is why many people are against illegal immigration thinks of them as criminals. These people that are against illegal immigration are referring to these individuals as “illegal aliens” to promote how they are invaders of this country. These individuals are fighting for redress to get these illegal immigrants out of the country. This would involve the tightening of existent immigration laws. For example, in response to concern about illegal immigration, in 2010 Arizona passed the controversial Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act, otherwise known as Arizona Senate Bill 1070. The Arizona act attempts to increase enforcement of federal immigration laws by directing Arizona law enforcement officers to check immigration status during the course of any lawful stop, detention, or arrest where "reasonable suspicion exists that the person is an alien and is unlawfully present in the United States."( Introduction to Illegal Immigration: Current Controversies) This is a consequence of illegal immigration because the social constructionists are fighting for lesser equality for illegal
“Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness”, three common goals immigrants came to America seeking with hopes of the promise to prosper and gain success. However, during the Gilded Age it seemed as though these were attainable only for the select few, while others left the land they knew to spend their lives toiling away in pursuit of the American dream, many never understanding how unattainable it really was. While the Gilded Age was a time of an industrial boom and a growing economy, those working by the sweat of their brow to make the success of this time possible, were not actually ever grasping this wealth, but rather putting right back into the pockets of the wealthy. The Gilded Age compromised the American Dream by limiting the chances of the immigrant working class, and thus creating a cycle of missed opportunities keeping the immigrants from progressing much further then when they came to America to begin with.
During the 1900’s, it was common for people to immigrate to America. They saw it as a land of freedom and opportunity. Some thought that this was a great way for the US’ economy to boom, but some thought otherwise. With the shortage of jobs, many believed that the immigrants were stealing their precious jobs. Because of the competition over jobs, immigrants became the new public enemy to many.
Students in America have been taught about the history of America, about Christopher Columbus had found it and he was detector. Day by day America becomes the biggest, strongest, the most powerful and civility country in the world. Therefore, people want to come to America for a better life. At first, they were very welcome because more immigrants meant cheaper labor. Not for a long time, Americans claimed that immigrants made Americans lost their jobs, for this reason they became resentment, especially Chinese immigrants and they passed through Chinese Exclusion Act 1882 and prohibited entry to Chinese laborers. Americans started to limit immigrants from many countries, they built Angel Island and Ellis Island for this
During the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century the rise of immigration centered around two specific ethnic groups. Irish and German immigrants provided a large portion of immigrants that were entering the United States between the 1820’s and 1920’s. Both ethnic groups invested in making the journey to the United States for several reasons, however some immigrants were not given much choice. Economic opportunities attracted both ethnic groups into making the migration to the America, however others came because they felt dislocated or threatened in their own country. Choosing to come to America for these two groups was a similar decision but with their similarities came differences as well.
In the eyes of the early American colonists and the founders of the Constitution, the United States was to represent the ideals of acceptance and tolerance to those of all walks of life. When the immigration rush began in the mid-1800's, America proved to be everything but that. The millions of immigrants would soon realize the meaning of hardship and rejection as newcomers, as they attempted to assimilate into American culture. For countless immigrants, the struggle to arrive in America was rivaled only by the struggle to gain acceptance among the existing American population.
One of the most recent outbreaks in America, is illegal immigration. An illegal immigrant is a foreigner who enters the U.S. without an entry or immigrant visa, especially a person who crosses the border by avoiding inspection or who overstays the period of time allowed as a visitor, tourist, or businessperson; a foreigner who has entered or resides in a country unlawfully or without the country's authorization.(dictionary.com). The effect of illegal immigration impacts America directly dealing with: environmental ordinances, social and political concepts, and economic pursuits. Illegal immigration generates insecurity about America’s borders, carries economic and fiscal costs, and risks the creation of an isolated underclass. The prevalence of illegal immigration also generates disturbing social and cultural tensions, and causes a decline in Americans’ support for immigration more generally.
In the early 1900’s immigration was less and more complicated then today. It was easier to get in and harder to make a living. In “The Sun From America” by Isaac Singer it took time to make a living in America.
The United States of America, being a country founded by immigrants, is known all over the world as the land of great opportunities. People from all walks of life travelled across the globe, taking a chance to find a better life for them and their family. Over the years, the population of immigrants has grown immensely, resulting in the currently controversial issue of illegal immigration. Illegal immigrants are the people who have overstayed the time granted on their US, visa or those who have broken the federal law by crossing the border illegally. Matt O’Brien stated in his article “The government thinks that 10.8 million illegal immigrants lived in the country in January 2009, down from a peak of nearly 12 million in 2007.”(Para, 2) While some argue that illegal immigrants burden the United States of America and its economy, others believe that they have become essential and are an important part of the US, economy.
Most of the United States (U.S) is comprised of immigrants—including those who have migrated to the States from another country and those whose ancestors freely travelled to the States in search of a fresh start. Every year, the U.S. grants a limited number of people around the world the opportunity to immigrate to the States each year. As a result of the restriction, citizens from neighboring countries cross the border illegally. According to an article by Jens Manuel Krogstad, 11.3 million unauthorized immigrants reside in the U.S. in 2014. This whopping number has stirred controversy both politically and economically for America’s government officials. As a result, many people argue whether illegal immigrants should or should not be aided
On December 31, 1890 a transition in history occured. New York City would start a new era in the history of the United States starting with the opening of Ellis Island as an immigration depo. This attracted many immigrants to the United Stated because of more job opportunities and as means to start a new life. As more immigrants came to America, it began to be known as the "land of opportunities". Immigrants coming in filled work spaces in industries with the hopes of someday becoming successful. These immigrants helped prove to other future immigrants that if you moved to America then you could start a better life for yourself and your families. On the other hand with positives come negatives and there were many involving immigration.
Immigration is the greatest part of American history. In the beginning, Immigrants brought a vast variety of cultures and beliefs and turned America in to the beauty it is today. Immigrants are still doing this. However, the issue with immigration can be it 's illegal status. Many undocumented immigrants are entering this country causing questions among the American citizens. Rather than asking if this is right or wrong, a solution can be found. Illegal immigrants come here for a purpose and can be helped with this purpose. Most come fleeing persecution, although some come here for more demented reasons. Those, illegal immigrants will be done away with. However, Those immigrants who come here for pure reasons need to be taken Care of in proper
Immigrants from around the world wanted to migrate to the United States in search for better opportunities because the United States’ economy was blooming during this time period. Immigrants did not only came to the United States for better jobs, but also for the freedom that the United States gave to its people. Each group of immigrant had their own reason to migrate to the United States. For example, the Irish fled to the United States in the 19th century because the English was oppressing them. This was the reason that led to the first wave of Irish immigration. “The Irish were dispossessed of their island by the English Prosperos. The Irish, too, were depicted and degraded as the ‘Other’- as ‘savages,’ outside of ‘civilization,’ and ‘wild.’
Immigrants have always been an important part of United States’ population. Each year, there are hundreds of thousands of immigrants, from all around the world, including legal and illegal, come into the United States for job opportunities, new life, or the American Dream. “Immigrants have contributed significantly to the development of the United States. During the Lincoln administration, immigrants were actually encouraged to come to America, as they were considered valuable to the development of the country.” (Soylu & Buchanan, 2013). They believe that the US will give them more freedom, protection, and opportunities, which sometimes it becomes the major issues for immigrants. That’s why “the U.S. population is becoming more racially and
Who is an immigrant? An immigrant is a person who has a citizenship in one country but enters another country to set up as a permanent resident. Sometimes countries are suffering greatly from lack of leadership, internal strife or war, and a collapsed economy. This is the case in Somalia, as well as in Syria, Libya, and Yemen. Syrian people are moving to Europe in order to find a peaceful home. Mexican immigrants come to the US looking for jobs. The people then move to new countries where they don’t speak the national language. In America, when the immigrants come, there are many difficulties: cultural differences regarding time and scheduling, transportation issues, and language difficulties.
Illegal Immigration can occur for various reasons but one of the main causes over years has been civil wars which made people cross borders of other countries. One more factor can be poverty where people migrate from other countries legally or illegally to higher paid jobs, better living conditions and one of the main examples of these are thousands of people who apply for H1-B (highly skilled workers) every year to legally work for a company in America. Another factor could be persecution in their own country for person’s wrong doing in religious or political beliefs and fleeing to adjacent country to take sanctuary. According to Anderson, immigrants come to America from neighboring countries especially Mexico to benefit fr...