Immigration in America

Paper Summary:

This paper introduces, discusses, and analyzes Bharati Mukherjee's essay, "Two Ways to Belong in America." Specifically, it discusses the position that immigrants who legally come to this country should become citizens of this country because they have enjoyed all the benefits the country has to offer, and they should be loyal to the country that has given them success and a new life.

From the Paper:

"Many critics believe the biggest problem with immigration and citizenship is not that so many immigrants choose not to become citizens, but that the country actually encourages immigrants not to assimilate. One critic writes, "Nor would it get at a related and even deeper problem, which is not that there are too many immigrants, but that those who apply, and those who come, are not required, or even asked, to assimilate" (Salins). America makes it very easy for people to immigrate here. We have always welcome and encouraged people from other countries to make their home here, and immigration law reforms in the twentieth century encouraged more people to move to America. Immigrants find that their children can be educated in their native languages, and even voting material and McDonald's menus are available in several languages. Immigrants find that they can live in segregated communities of their countrymen, speak their own language for the most part, and still find good jobs and get a good education. These social conveniences do not encourage assimilation or citizenship, and so, many immigrants feel no need to become citizens - why should they? Their lives are better, but they still live largely as they did at home."

More papers on Immigration in America:

• Persuasive Essay # 104400 : "Illegal Immigration in America"
• Term Paper # 106519 : "Illegal Immigration In America"
• Essay # 84664 : "In America" "

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