Immigration is one of the most debatable topics in this era. The United States is one of the countries that holds the most immigrants, as this country offers a haven to millions of foreigners it also struggles to maintain a balance in the number of people coming in. This issue is
hard to ignore as immigrants will continue to cross U.S borders legally or illegally. Immigrants have become a part of the United States population, they are neighbors, students and workers. This people come into the United States with hope and dreams of a better life. However, many of this immigrant live with uncertainty and fear of one day losing everything they have, of being taken away from everything they built as they failed to obtain legal documentation. This people wake up every day knowing it could be their last day in the land they choose to make home. The U.S fights to find a solution, but can there be a solution to such a complex and delicate topic?
Immigration first emerged in the United States during the 1600s when Europeans migrated in search of political and religious freedom (“Immigration Timeline”). Despite the harsh journey and conditions people such as pilgrims continued to come in. Bringing with them people from Africa and the Caribbean’s, this was the first wave of forced migration in the United States(1). In the 1800s the first immigration act is passed, however in 1880 restrictions emerge toward immigration (1). Convicts, prostitutes, mentally changed and among other groups of people were no longer eligible for citizenship (1). The new wave of people coming into the United States was begging to shape the dynamic of the America we see today.
As people continued to come into United States new measures were created in order to limit the number of people entering the country. In 1924 Border Patrol was established, the main concern during the era was to balance the wave of Chinese immigrants across the U.S and Mexico border (“Immigration TIMELINE”). However, as limitation were created so were pathways for those seeking refuge. By the mid-1940s families were being accepted as citizens and refugees escaping Nazi persecution are being taken in (1). As America became abundant economically it fought to restrain undocumented people from coming in. In 1986 the government attempted to regain control on the border, an Immigration control and reform act was enforced and supported by president Ronald Reagan. However, he offered amnesty to those who entered the country before 1982(1). After the numerous waves of migration during the 2000s the United States became one of the top countries with foreign born citizens. In 2001 after the occurrence of tragic terrorist attacks tougher restrictions on immigration were created, an increase in discriminations against minorities was remarkably visible during the restoration of the public safety (1). While president Bush was on office he tried to help foreign workers get employed by willing American employers, however this led to nothing but addition to the reinforcement on the border to stop illegal immigration(1).By 2014 five million illegal immigrants were deported, today after the election of president Donald Trump, the president compromises to expand the border wall and warns to adjust the DACA program created during the Obama years (“Immigration Legislation”).
Since immigration emerged social change was an inevitable outcome. The numerous people coming into the United States has shifted the dynamic of people that makes up the country, making America one of the most diverse countries in the world. Since the early years of this nation, immigrants continued to cross borders ceaselessly hoping to find refuge and economic stability. Most Americans today came from immigrant ancestors or are immigrants themselves (“The impact of Immigration”). The integration of people from other nations into society changed neighborhoods, schools, and many small businesses emerge busting the economy (“The Effects of Immigration”). In the past years foreign students were less likely to finish high school, but today these students pursue college careers (1). The new generation of young immigrants is entering the workforce with degrees and changing the face of immigration (1). The United States has become one of the most culturally diverse countries, food, music, art and fashion have impacted the places immigrants are more prone to settle in.
Many Americans fear the numerous amounts of immigrants coming in, the enforcement on immigration laws and the border has become an issue of great debate in this era. Immigrants bring diversity but also problems emerge when large amount of people continue to cross borders illegally. However, such immigrants have entered the workforce and have help built the country that we see today (“How Immigrants changed the world”). Is inevitable to recognize that immigration must be managed. However, in order to fairly accomplish the task, the importance of this factor must be represented (1). The United States process and gained recognition with the help of foreign comers.
In the year 2009 at the age of eight I entered the United States with my family. I come from a small town in Mexico called Huimilpan, Queretaro. It was six of us in a small car, a twenty-four-hour drive. My first experience to the American life was in a burger king, a couple that appeared to be from Asia but spoke Spanish, as little girl that just amazed me. Today it’s recognizable that in that moment I became aware that the United States was a extremely unique and diverse country. Adapting to the language, food, and the pastimes but while adapting my own culture to the new lifestyle. As I grew facing discrimination and insults for my race was inevitable. At the age of ten two older girls covered their noses and mentioned beans, at the age of fourteen was told to go back to my country. Today I understand the importance of immigration and the need to educate the public about the issue instead of trying to diminish it.
Immigration is such a controversial topic in this era. The issues around it involves the life of many, debating its importance would not fix the issue, however regulations and laws will not stop the needs of this people. Immigrants will continue to arrive to this land with dreams. The problem may not have a solution, the only thing that can be done in order to reduce the controversy, may just involve educating the public. It may seem impossible to change a system that for decades has neglected many who seek legalization. The system has almost made it impossible for certain immigrant to legally enjoy the liberties and opportunities that the United States offers. Immigrants will arrive, some will return, the flow of people will not stop, the system may have to adapt to the numbers, the people can no longer adapt to this system.
The United States is made up of individuals who come from different countries, heritages and speak different languages, but most immigrant flee to America escaping economic or social issues in their countries. They all have different backgrounds, stories, and beliefs, however, their general will as a whole is to stay in America and pursue their dreams. A country that was once built by immigrants struggles to rip off its roots. It is absurd that the people who once and who continue to enrich the country are being pushed aside like intruders. In order to attempt to solve the issue, no regulation or enforcement of border patrol will stop the flow of people. Creating an easier path to legalization would shift the number of illegal immigration, however can the system for entering the United States be altered? or is minimizing the number of immigrants in the country the answer or the beginning of social tension ?
Immigrant parents often leave their kids behind, but when kids enter the United States illegally, most likely they will never see their homeland ever again and will eventually forget what it was like. In 2012 a federal government program called DACA was created to help children brought to the United States illegally, have the right to live, enroll in college and work in America (“DACA Answered”). However, President Donald Trump ordered to end this program (1). Ending DACA will not only affect the “Dreamers,” it will also affect America. Attacking Dreamers will not reduce immigration, they are an engine to Americas working force (1). Thousands of kids could be deported sending them back to a country they can’t even remember, it would separate families, and could reduce the U.S. economy by billions in a decade (1). The Dreamers contribute to the United States’ economy and diversity, America is the only place they consider home. Protecting the Dreamers is protecting the future, is the beginning to accept and incorporate immigrants into society. This are kids who aspire to change the world we see, young people who understand the power and courage it takes to see change. Protecting young immigrants is the initiative to moderate immigration.
Since the early establishment of America, immigration was a noticeable factor of rapid growth and diversity in this country. Reducing the number of immigrants could not solve the issue. Even when hundreds are sent back, many will return to once again chase their American dream. This people would not have the same opportunities they have in the United States, some of them would go back to nothing not even family. There’s not a specific “path” undocumented people can take to fix their status (“Living in Fear”). Donald Trump stated he would, “Round up 11 million undocumented immigrants in 24 months and drop them off across the border” (1). Taking away millions of immigrants from the workforce would cost the economy billions. The states mainly affected would be California and Texas (1). Creating a way for undocumented individuals to get a green card or naturalization would also bust up America’s economy. In order to solve this complex issue, the numbers must not be reduced but the system must be adjusted.
The flourished population of immigrants will continue to flow throughout America. It is absurd to try and diminish the number of foreign comers as this land was shaped and molded by their efforts. The immigrants from the past are the same ones of today, they arrived with hope and willingness to work for their dreams. We as a nation cannot ask the people who once constructed this nation to leave. How can such a developed nation, full of resources, and opportunities close its doors to those who seek a haven. The riches and roots of this country lay beneath the stories of millions of immigrants, we cannot forget the history that helped create the United States.
The United States has become one of the most prominent Immigrant nations. The diversity and complexity of this melting pot of cultures is what enriches the ambition of this country. As the number of people seeking opportunities in this country increases, so does the need to regulate the flow. However, a wall will not stop the immigration or reduce the number of undocumented immigrants. Protecting the Dreamers will not resolve the issue, but will ensure the future of the new generation of a motivated and educated working force. A immigrant cannot seek legalization in a system that was created to keep him out. A nation cannot ask those who made it to leave. Immigrants are people who with hope and courage left everything to obtain a little of the American dream, a dream that has become distorted and disguised as simple.
Hirschman, Charles. Malaysian Journal of Economic Studies : Journal of the Malaysian Economic Association and the Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Malaya, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2014, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4302270/.
“The Truth On Immigration.” Americans for Immigrant Justice, www.aijustice.org/the_truth_on_immigration.
Goldin, Ian, et al. “How Immigration Has Changed the World – for the Better.” World Economic Forum,www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/01/how-immigration-has-changed-the-world-for-the-better/.
“Timeline.” Open Collections Program: Immigration to the US, Timeline, ocp.hul.harvard.edu/immigration/timeline.html.
“Add To Cart.” Immigration Timeline - The Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island, www.libertyellisfoundation.org/immigration-timeline.
Andersson, Hilary. “Living in Fear of President Trump's Deportation Drive.” BBC News, BBC, 17 July 2017, www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-40600552.
Gonzales, Richard. “5 Questions About DACA Answered.” NPR, NPR, 6 Sept. 2017, www.npr.org/2017/09/05/548754723/5-things-you-should-know-about-daca.
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