Abstract This paper uses the functionalist and conflict perspectives in sociology to explain the factors that make California a beacon for many immigrants from around the world.
From the Paper "Functionalists tend to analyze social phenomenon in terms of how these events contribute to or detract from social order. For functionalists, one of the biggest factors that would draw immigrants is the need for inexpensive labor. There are large segments of the California economy that are dependent on this important resource. This need can be seen in the number of unauthorized immigrants who are employed in low-wage occupations. For example, in California, undocumented workers comprise 19 percent of farming workers and 17 percent of workers employed in cleaning occupations (Center for Continuing Study of the California Economy 2005)."
Abstract This paper explores what makes a Californian artist and how this definition has changed throughout history. It describes the terms which characterize Californian art such as: plein-air painting, tonalist painting, and more. It details certain famous Californian artists like Amil Jean Kosa Jr., Simon Rodia and many more. It studies the major influences on Californian artists ranging from New York to Europe.
From the Paper "To write about a California style of painting is to write about a subject as large and diverse as the state itself, which is to say that nearly everything that has been done in art since at least World War II and probably since the beginning of the 20th century has been done in California. And yet despite the diversity of art that is created in the state ? which means that in one sense there is no particularly Californian style of art ? there are certain artists who seem to typify what might be called a Californian mode of expression for us. This paper explores what makes certain artists ? regardless of their biographical antecedents ? quintessentially California and how what constitutes the Californian artist changes from one historical moment to the next."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that illegal immigration is one of the biggest controversies and highly debated issue in the United States of America. The writer maintains that the impact of illegal immigration on the U.S economy is omnipresent with the U.S economy falling while emerging economies are making significant progress. The writer notes that many economists believe that the illegal immigration into America is a kind of economic war being waged against the Americans. The law makers and the officials in the Government have taken notice of the growing impact of illegal immigrants on the U.S economy and have taken steps to amend the existing laws so as to prevent illegal immigrants from entering the United States of America. The writer discusses that apart from the economic impact, illegal immigration has brought with it other social, religious and security problems. The writer looks at the different faces of illegal immigration and its effects on Americans.
Outline:
Introduction
Illegal immigrants Modes of Entry
Origin of Illegal Immigrants in America
Impact of Illegal Immigration Economic Impact
Numerical Data to Support the Economic Impact
Other Faces of Illegal Immigration Security Issues and Costs
Education and Medical Care Costs
Environment Degradation
Crimes Committed by Illegal Immigrants Conclusion
From the Paper "One of the most profound impacts is the decrease in the wages of low skilled workers in America. Jobs that Americans refuse to take because of lower wages are now being taken up by illegal immigrants. This has resulted in unemployment among the Americans. American companies often prefer foreign workers who work harder for a lesser pay than the American citizens. This has lead to improper distribution of income and increased the gap between the rich and poor American citizens. Another reason why the American companies prefer foreign employees is both the employer and employee can easily escape from paying taxes to the Government. The undocumented workers do not pay their taxes. In the case of American employees the taxes are deducted from their pay roll. Although illegal immigrants increase the profits for their employers they hurt the American taxpayers. Since most of the illegal immigrants have low educational qualification and low skill level they are most employed for lower wages in poor working condition mostly in underworld economies. Hence the illegal immigrants easily evade the payment of taxes without their knowledge."
Abstract This paper explores Asian immigration to the United States during the 1970s. It describes the impact Asian immigration had on America since that time, the different Asian groups who arrived and the social and political reasons for their voyage to America. The author writes that Asian immigration to the U.S. began over a century ago, in 1830 Chinese immigrants entered New York, since then Asian immigrants have become one of largest foreign-born groups in America. The paper introduces a Taiwanese immigrant, Wu Hsiung Chu and presents the details of his life in Taiwan and his immigration to the United States of America.
From the Paper "Asian people were excluded from entering the United States, until the Immigration Act of 1965. This act allowed immigration from countries such as China, India, Korea, and the Philippines to grow. In addition to the immigration Act of 1965 another law in 1975 created a program of resettlement for refugees fleeing Cambodia and Vietnam. A year later, the program was extended to include Laotians. (People Is Plural)
Vietnamese immigration was slow until 1970 when it began building rapidly through the fall of Saigon in 1975. After that it increase with thousands of Vietnamese were admitted under refugee provisions created in an effort to save a half million South Vietnamese who fled Vietnam in tiny boats. During the highest point of Vietnamese immigration in the mid to late 70s, an average of 120,000 entered Vietnamese people came to the country each year. The Vietnamese American population is the most geographically concentrated among Asian groups. The largest waves of refugees were handled through Camp Pendleton located in Oceanside, California, and most of these Vietnamese immigrants settled in the Westminster area of nearby Orange County. (Parsing Asian America) "
Tags: united, states, usa, 1970, immigration, act, 1965, china, india, korea, philippines, taiwan, asia, social, political, voyage, immigrants
Abstract This paper promotes the idea of a free immigration policy in the United States. It discusses the contributions that immigrants, of all nationalities, have made to the the growth of the United States economically and socially:
From the paper:
"The recent level of immigration that the United States of America has been experiencing is clearly beneficial to the economy. Today, and throughout the history of the nation, immigrants play key roles in society, and without them, regions of the country with the largest immigrant growth rates would suffer, as would the country as a whole. The immigrants to the United States at this time are not simply the poor and uneducated of the third world; they come from all social and economic classes."
Abstract This paper discusses how immigration in the era of mass immigration, 1850 to about 1920, differed from other periods, and what changed in the experiences of immigrants. The paper examines the start of immigrant communities based on ethnicity and looks at how improvements in transportation enabled mass immigration.
From the Paper "The United States is overwhelmingly a country of immigrants in the sense that nearly all Americans or their ancestors came from elsewhere in the last few centuries. Only the Native Americans, less than one percent of the population, are descended from peoples who had lived in what is now the United States for thousands of years. Moreover with the important exception of African-Americans, most of the people who immigrated to the United States or to what would become the United States did so..."
Tags: united, states, immigration, immigrants, ethnic
Abstract Hiring immigrants and multicultural diversity issues have become increasingly more important in recent years, for the number of immigrants has kept increasing every year in Canada, which has increased the demand for skillful immigrant workers. This paper examines the benefits that can be accrued by hiring more immigrant workers. The paper asserts that hiring skillful immigrant workers can make a business more competitive in terms of its overall human resources, can help a business gain access to immigrant markets in Canada, and can facilitate the implementation and immigrant worker management of overseas assignments.
Abstract This paper discusses the issue of immigration, a subject of contention since European settlers stepped foot on the soil of North American shores. Currently, immigration is at the forefront of the American news, particularly in terms of the role of the illegal immigrant in society. However, many Americans are unclear as to where even legal immigrants "fit" in American society. The paper further discusses how even in today's society, the general public lacks clear understanding of what non-naturalized immigrants can or should do in terms of the military, whether at home or overseas. If immigration is not new to this country, neither are immigrants in the military.
Abstract The author of this paper examines the issue of illegal immigration to the United States from Mexico and the need for reform in existing immigration laws. The paper's author postulates that the arguments put forward by opponents of immigration reform are, for the most part invalid and based on racial stereotyping as opposed to reasoned argument. The author states that despite being "illegal", Mexican immigrants are an essential part of the US' work force and as such, deserve the same rights that are accorded to workers who are also citizens. Examples are given of state discrimination against illegal immigrants from Mexico as well as attempts by federal courts to give such immigrants a modicum of protection.
From the Paper "The Supreme Court began to challenge immigration laws in 1875 by ruling that individual states did not have the constitutional right to regulate immigration, as this was exclusively a federal issue. (Heer 37) From this time forward the Supreme Court and other federal entities have had the sole responsibility of enacting and enforcing immigration laws, many of which followed the traditional pattern of allowance only when the US had a need for labor. The first act was to level a head tax on immigrants, which would presumably answer the state's individual desires to bar paupers from entrance into the US. It is possible that many of the ensuing regulations and challenges to Mexican immigration have been as a result of the early sentiment that stresses that those in the direst economic need should not be able to enter the US."
Abstract This paper examines the downside of immigration in the U.S and focuses on three specific areas: The impact of immigration on the labor market, the use of welfare and the payment of taxes. The writer asserts that while immigration may benefit the country as a whole, the burdens of these new population flows fall unequally on particular communities. This paper also discusses the high Mexican immigration rate in California and the resulting effects on its economy. This paper contains researched facts and statistics as well as relevant expert opinions to back up the writer's claim that immigration impacts negatively on the U.S. economy.
From the Paper "Education is the key to mobility in the United States and those communities, which cannot provide adequate education will be unable to move their members out of poverty, no matter what cultural solidarities they are able to maintain. Clark suggests that the result of this social immobility could lead to what he calls a "tearing of the social fabric" in multicultural communities. Although the tensions of cultural difference make these communities culturally rich, Clark argues that too much tension could result in balkanization, interethnic violence, and increasing economic stagnation."
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses the role of immigration and anti-immigrant fears in American politics in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The writer looks at the volume and character of immigration and its economic impact. The writer discusses big city machines, Red scare and Palmer raids. Further, the writer examines how immigration became a major factor in American national politics.
From the Paper "Immigration developed as a major factor in American politics during the late 19th century, due to the large scale of immigration, the new and more diverse origins of the immigrants and the resulting social and economic tensions. Immigration contributed to the growth of big-city political machines and after World War I fear of immigrant radicals triggered the first great Red scare in American national politics. Thus, immigration and the fear of immigration and immigrants played a major role in ... "
Abstract This paper provides an overview of the various positive and negative views on immigration and immigration reform. It also suggests that based on the research, the issue of immigration reform should be more balanced. The paper further discusses how the issue of immigration is complex and includes ethical as well as economic and labor related factors. The paper concludes that a sense of balance and proportion is necessary in dealing with an issue of such complexity and sensitivity.
Outline:
Introduction
An Overview of the Issues in Immigration and Immigration Reform
Economic Aspects
Solutions
Conclusion
From the Paper "There is increasing number of contrasting views on immigration. One view is that often mentioned as a reason for not decreasing immigration controls is that, "Open immigration would destroy important American values." (Isbister, 1996, p.220) This is a view that is based on the fear that open immigration would result in the destruction of values and institutions in the United States. This is more clearly outlined in the following quotation. "The concern is one of absorptive capacity and the assimilative powers of the U.S. A massive influx of foreigners who were unfamiliar with and uncommitted to American political values might use the democratic procedures of the country to destroy the institutions that support those procedures. "(Isbister, 1996, p.220) There is also the related fear that unrestricted immigration would alter and affect American culture. This view is supported by studies which reveal that the current legal and illegal immigration figure is in excess of one million persons per year. However those in favor of more open immigration mention that the above views have led to racism, bigotry and economic exploitation which are in contradistinction to the spirit and constitution of the country. "
Abstract In this article, the writer looks at immigration and at its dramatic impact upon nations forced to grapple with a massive influx of newcomers. In particular, the paper looks at the political consequences of some ethnic and racial groups gaining ascendancy while others fall into relative eclipse. The writer also looks at how changes in the composition of the professional classes brought about by migratory inflows can precipitate hostility and resentment among the native-born. Additionally, the paper discusses how large-scale immigration can lead to transformations in social programs and policies and also to cultural transformations bearing with them significant political implications. Finally, the impact of immigration vis-a-vis crime levels is looked at - specifically as it pertains to the United States and its ongoing problem with illegal immigration. In the end, this paper concludes that the cultural and political dissonances produced by immigration can be curbed through acculturation, through strict enforcement of pre-existing immigration law, and through an end to divisive politics and policies that divide Americans along ethnic and racial lines.
From the Paper "To begin with, it is fairly evident that immigration will shape the population of a country in ways that almost no other phenomenon can. For example, a nation with a declining birth rate among the native-born will invariably need to draw upon outsiders if it is to satiate the business community's demand for labor and if it is to find a sufficient base of tax-paying, full-time workers capable of subsidizing costly social programs. Suffice it to say, this influx can result in the absolute increase of some ethnic and racial groups along with a concomitant increase in their political efficacy; at the same time, other pre-existing groups within the host nation may see their relative share of the population decline and, along with it, their political influence decline. Unsurprisingly, there are those who fear that illegal immigrants - at least within the United States - can unduly impact congressional races simply because U.S. courts have traditionally taken the view that even illegal residents count when districts are being apportioned and gerrymandered. Still, as significant as these electoral matters are, they scarcely begin to describe the sweeping effect of immigration - legal and otherwise - upon recipient nations."
This well-researched paper analyzes the post-WWII rise in European immigration to America, while focusing primarily on Italy's immigrants between 1950-1970.
Abstract This paper examines the factors responsible for the rise in European immigration to the U.S. after WWII. This in-depth paper focuses on the many struggles encountered by Italian immigrants to America between 1950-1970. The writer of this paper details how the segregation of the Italian immigrant community was similar to that suffered by African-Americans. The segregation of Italians was not publicly acknowledged, but existed nonetheless as a force in keeping them congregated in their own neighborhoods and denying them equal access to the U.S. economic and political systems. The negative perception of the Italian culture was further intensified by the rise of the mafia and the presence of organized crime which led to further widespread prejudice. The writer describes the 1950s as an era in which the WASP element of society was preferred even though the overt prejudice against the Irish and Roman Catholics had been reduced. This paper explores religion which was an important element in Italian life. Family and religious life formed a core to the Italian culture and their neighborhoods offered an enclave of life in the old country to newcomers. This paper also contains relevant information as to how the immigrants dealt with day-to-day life in America, from employment to education.
From the Paper "The immigrants with the least education were those most likely to be employed in low paying jobs. Even with minimum wage legislation, it was difficult to earn a living and wives frequently were forced to work part time as seamstresses or domestic servants to supplement the family income. As the higher paying jobs moved to the suburbs, those who were poorest were least able to relocate in search of employment. In The Other America, author Michael Harrington says one of the most self-perpetuating aspects of poverty is the inability to move, physically and mentally. When considered in the physical sense, poverty itself brings about segregation that further alienates immigrants from the mainstream of society."
Abstract This paper examines and summarizes dozens of research studies about immigrants to Australia in the aftermath of World War II. The paper focuses on the works of social scientists -- primarily sociologists -- regarding the displaced placed persons phenomenon and its impact on Australia. The paper also looks at studies that researched the ability of these DPs to integrate into Australian society -- both at the time and over the long-term. Another study focuses on the corollaries between the DP immigration and later immigration from the Far East and Asia. Finally, the paper looks at research into the Australian governments handling of immigration and immigrant issues.
From the Paper "Post war immigration is discussed briefly in general histories of Australia such as Crawford, Shaw and Ward. In these surveys, the reasons for Australia new immigration policy are discussed briefly, with some mention of the Displaced Persons Scheme, but in no great detail. The first thorough archival research work on the topic was conducted by Andrew Markus and in 1984 he published two articles in Labour History, the first concentrated on the development of post war immigration policy. Markus argued that prior to World War II, the Australian Labor Party opposed governmentally sponsored immigration plans on the grounds that an increased work force would strengthen the bargaining position of employers. During and immediately following the war, however, Labor endorsed immigration as a means of securing Australia's ability to defend itself and to develop the nation's resources. The second article specifically examined the Displaced Persons Scheme. Markus discussed the origins of the scheme, the reasons for its expansion and government attempts to gain the support of unions , the media and the general public. A feature of Markus's work is his detailed use of the Department of Immigration files. Markus pioneered the use of this important archival resource. Markus's articles were followed by longer studies in the late 1980s. In 1988 Glenda Sluga's work on Bonegilla was published."
