Abstract There can be little question, politically incorrect though it may be to argue it, that illegal immigration is a serious problem with serious ramifications for America. This paper explores the financial impact of illegal immigration upon our schools and how America's school children suffer as a result of illegal immigrants. Secondly, the paper explores how America's prison system is being overrun by illegal immigrants and the costs with which America has been saddled as a result. Finally, the paper briefly offers some suggestions on what can be done to protect America's borders and what the costs should be of such a measure.
Abstract The paper discusses how it is possible that no nation on earth has relied historically as much as America has upon immigration. Many of its most brilliant minds and most important citizens were people who left behind the Old World for the promise of the new. The paper explains that as a result, the recent furor over illegal immigration has brought to light the fact that some Americans, while their concerns about people entering the country illegally in a time of war are perfectly understandable, perhaps forget that immigrants give a great deal to America that no indigenous group can or will.
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
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 The paper looks at the fall of communism in the USSR in 1991 when emigration restriction policies were changed and many people could finally emigrate to the United States. The paper discusses the ongoing struggles of Russia, Ukraine and other former Soviet republics to become democratic countries. The paper explains that these lingering uncertainties, combined with pervasive political corruption and economic stagnation, have convinced many over the last few years that emigrating to the United States is their only hope of a better future.
From the Paper "Hutchinson (1981) notes that throughout its history, the United States has experienced continuous immigration, for American political freedoms, religious tolerance, economic opportunities, and huge geographical size have combined to draw millions of people from all around the world to our shores, in hopes of building better lives for themselves and their children. Over the years, the pace of immigration has waxed and waned depending upon political, religious, and economic conditions overseas, and has consisted at different times of a wave of immigrants from Northern European countries, then from southern and eastern European countries, and more recently from Asia and the former republics of the Soviet Union."
Abstract This paper argues that, even in her new American environment, the Irish immigrant still managed to maintain the cultural and demographic beliefs and practices with which she was imbued before departure. These practices were critical in facilitating the success of the Irish in America. The paper uses Hasia Diner's "Erin's Daughters in America: Irish Immigrant Women in the Nineteenth Century" as a reference.
From the Paper "Emigrants to America, despite the differing economic conditions, tended to follow these dictates (Diner 46). Furthermore, "Irish women passed on this tradition to their American-born daughters" (Diner 48). The other, more deeply rooted Irish traditions of division of the sexes (men and women spending leisure time apart), heavy participation in Catholic Church activities, a vision of self-worth as rooted in economic activity, and strong family loyalty would also survive the transatlantic trip intact. Thus, despite the Irish woman's greater ease of adaptation to the American environment (Diner 66), she remained heavily influenced by her native culture."
Tags: feminist, immigration, ireland, Catholic, Church
Abstract The paper examines immigration statistics from the 1930s to the 1980s that show significant shifts in immigration patterns. The paper discusses the high levels of German immigration during World War II that reflect the political and social chaos then. The paper then focuses on the 1950's shift from European immigration to Latin-American, namely Mexican immigration, that highlights many social issues. The paper concludes that as immigration is a basic social situation in America, based on the real and perceived standard of living and opportunity levels in the US, there is no doubt it will remain a strong social current in the nation.
From the Paper "A great deal of the German (and other European) immigration, was in part associated with WWII and the preceding and following political and social chaos, that led many German's to seek immigration to America between the two world wars. The war within Germany, when many restrictions and changes made living very difficult, specifically for the Jewish population, created countless messages of the need to immigrate to a nation with fewer restrictions. (Lederhendler, 2007, p. 1) The war years, also increased immigration from Europe as the German hostilities spread throughout Europe and destruction and depravity reigned supreme."
Abstract This paper examines the statement by Joppke that America is ?a nation of immigrants?. The writer argues that this argument does not make sense for the current reality of America's society. It examines concepts such as "native, "immigrant", and "American" in order to see the way Americans view their nationality.
From the Paper "I am an American. I am not an immigrant. Therefore, America is not a nation of immigrants. This is the reason of logic. Of the abundance of knowledge and understanding that I?ve accumulated since returning to my studies, I think none is more important than basic principles of logic, namely, the language. In all disciplines the ability to reason abstractly in solving problems is an important tool. One must be able to understand the written and spoken word of reasonable people, to analyze problems objectively and to avoid arriving at conclusions hastily without considering all the evidence. Surely, intolerance and prejudice thrive in the absence of clear thinking individuals. Christian Joppke in Immigration and the Nation-State begins with the faulty assumption that America is indeed "A Nation of Immigrants". He bought into the premise presented by John F. Kennedy in his book by the same name, hook, line and sinker. But, according to the 2000 U.S. Census, ninety percent of our population is born in the United States. How could that ascendancy of homegrown Americans justify us being called a "nation of immigrants"?"
Abstract The paper analyzes the film "In America" by Jim Sheridan that reflects the functionality of the Irish American immigration experience in American culture. The paper discusses how in having easy access to other cultures in the crowded housing and highly mobile city, Ariel and her family offer a symbolic break from their past by assimilating into American society. The paper maintains that new immigrants should and presently do have the ability to blend into American culture, since the construct of American society is functional for the needs of the people in immigration status.
From the Paper "The sociological theory of Functionalism will be discussed in relation to the immigrant film "In America" by Director Jim Sheridan. By realizing how America is built to accommodate immigrants from all races and creeds, this film emulates the experiences of Irish, as they adapt to a new life. By realizing the functionality of life that supports diversity in this culture, "In America" is a film that can be explained through this sociological perspective. The basis of the film "In America," directed by Jim Sheridan, reflects the concept of immigration as a trend that suits the sociological premise of America. The idea of the "melting pot" is reflected in the Irish American immigration experience of New York, through two parents."
Abstract This paper studies the experiences of Irish and Iranian immigrants in the United States. While the reasons behind immigration differed from one ethnic group to another, still the problems they faced were similar in nature as American viewed them as a threat to their social and cultural identities. The paper discusses these experiences with reference to two books: Ronald Takaki's "A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America" and Zohreh Sullivan's "Exiled Memories: Stories from the Iranian Diaspora."
From the Paper "With America gaining significant economic growth in the 19th and 20th centuries, its popularity among other nations of the world increased dramatically. There was a wave of immigrants entering the country during that period and especially after the Great wars when there were disturbances in the European countries many people left their homeland and entered United States in search of better jobs and a more prosperous future. But not everyone left their country because there was an economic disaster, several left because for political reasons too. Iranians actually fell under this category. After years of weathering political instability in their own country, many Iranians fled their homeland in search of a safer environment and their destination was western countries. It was during this time that United States saw a sharp rise in the number of Iranian immigrants and since then the number has grown steadily even though Iranians remain the most underrepresented community. Iranians were not only looking for better job opportunities as most other immigrants, they were actually concerned about political and religious restrictions that they had been forced to endure during the Islamic revolution of 1979."
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 In this article, the writer discusses that the events of September 11, 2001 and the continuing media reports of tens of millions of illegal immigrants being in the United States has not helped the position of those who want to immigrate and it has added fuel to the war on terrorism fires at home. This paper provides a review of the relevant literature to demonstrate several timely reasons why illegal immigrants who are already in the United States should be allowed to remain. The writer notes that this includes the enormous positive economic contributions of illegal immigrants and the exorbitant costs associated with identifying and deporting them. The writer also points out that migration is a natural survival technique and looks at the adverse effect that deporting illegal immigrants to the US would have on the nation's consciousness in view of America's longstanding legacy of welcoming dispossessed people.
Outline:
Introduction
Review and Discussion
Positive Economic Contributions of Illegal Immigrants Exorbitant Costs Associated with Identifying and Deporting Illegal Immigrants Conclusion
From the Paper "Given its significance in national affairs, it is not surprising that there have been some conflicting reports concerning the economic impact of illegal immigrants on the country's economy. While the actual numbers are unknown, critics suggest that these illegal immigrants are stealing jobs away from American workers who would readily accept these jobs if they were available. For instance, Gresham reports that there are literally millions of illegal aliens in the United States today who are using false Social Security cards and numbers to secure legitimate and better-paying employment than many observers might believe. According to Gresham, the impact of these workers on the nation's middle class will be profound and will make the gap between the haves and have-nots even greater. In fact, this author maintains that left unresolved, this trend will ultimately result in an American middle class that will shrink from its present 65 percent to 70 percent of Americans and create a larger percentage of poor people than ever before in the country's history ..."
Abstract A look at the arrival of Jews in America from the early settlers to the main wave of immigration at the beginning of the 20th century. It discusses how the Jews have always been welcomed in the United States and how the country has become a place of great cultural and religious development recently for Judaism. It examines the trend of Jewish immigration parallel to the arrival of other religions to the United States.
From the Paper "America is a long way from the ancestral homes of the Jews, but this does not in any way mean that it is not been a welcoming place for the Jewish people who have, in many ways, thrived in the New World. But the story of the Jews in America is not entirely a successful one, or at least not a traditionally successful one, for much of the sense of Jewish identity has been lost in our semi-Melting Pot, and if Jews have not had in this nation to face the terrible persecutions that they have met in other nations then they have also intermarried at high rates and left the teachings and communities of their ancestors."
Tags: Jew, Judaism, United, States, freedom, immigration
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 ... "
