The Impact Of Immigration Policies On Communities And The Future Of West Michigan

Immigration has always been a complex issue in the United States. Previous and current administrations have had great difficulties in setting policies and programs in place to address this problem. During the course of American history, laws were enacted to address such issues. There were numerous legislative milestones in regards to immigration in the United States. In order to understand the current issues regarding immigration, we have to look back at the policies that were in place along with the goals that they intended to serve. According to (Barusch, 2012), the United States had an open immigration policy; which means that anyone could relocate to this country. As a result of this policy, the government had to redefine

Globally, the United States has been known as "a nation of immigrants" almost from its inception. Beginning in the 1600s with English Puritans and continuing today, America is a melting pot of culture and ethnicity. In fact, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, immigration was the major source of U.S. population growth. Looking over our 200+ years we find that to clearly be true, with approximately 1 million immigrants coming to America during the 17th and 18th century. Almost 3 million arrived during the 1860s, and another 3 million in the 1870s. In the next four decades, the number of immigrants rose to over 25 million people, most from various European nations, most arriving in New York or one of the Eastern seaports (Damon, 1981). Despite the politicization, as of 2006, the United States actually was the number one country globally to accept legal immigrants into the country, with a current immigrant population of almost 40 million (Terrazas and Batalova, 2009). In fact, the peak of immigration was 1907, when over 1.2 million Europeans entered the country beginning a push towards legislation limiting immigration in the Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1924 and the 1921 Congressional Quota Act. These immigrants came for two sociological reasons: the push factor (wars, famine, persecution and overpopulation) and the pull factors (jobs and the promise of freedom). Most came by ship, and a passage often cost the equivalent of an entire life's savings causing many

The United States has been a host to a wide diaspora of people. Immigrants have had to transition from their familiar land to a new-fashioned foreign land that they must consider home. They bring with them the essence of their initial homeland such as customs, traditions and beliefs that inadvertently change the dynamics of culture within the United States. As a result the United States is an extremely culturally diverse nation. The continual changes or accretions that Americans encounter have always been a controversial topic depending on the experiences of individuals and communities that have immigrant populations. This essay will critically explore

In the United States, the cliché of a nation of immigrants is often invoked. Indeed, very few Americans can trace their ancestry to what is now the United States, and the origins of its immigrants have changed many times in American history. Despite the identity of an immigrant nation, changes in the origins of immigrants have often been met with resistance. What began with white, western European settlers fleeing religious persecution morphed into a multicultural nation as immigrants from countries across the globe came to the U.S. in increasing numbers. Like the colonial immigrants before them, these new immigrants sailed to the Americas to gain freedom, flee poverty and

“We are nation of immigrants. Some came here willingly, some unwillingly. Nonetheless, we are immigrants, or the descendants of immigrants, one, and all. Even the natives came from somewhere else, originally. All of the people who come to this country come for freedom, or for some product of that extraordinary, illusory condition. That is what we offer here—freedom and opportunity in a land of relative plenty.” (Middletown Journal 2005)

The United States of America has the largest foreign-born population in the world. With nearly thirteen percent of the total population being foreign-born, one may find it hard to imagine an immigrant-free country (U.S. Bureau of the Census). Immigration has been an integral part of the United States’ overall success and the country’s economy since it was established and without it, would have never been founded at all. Although there are some negative issues associated with immigration and many native-born Americans believe to be more of a problem than a solution, overall it actually has a positive effect. Immigrants in America, among other things, fill jobs where native-born Americans may not want to work or cannot work, they contribute

Immigration has been around since the first time the Mayflower arrived at Plymouth Rock with immigrants from Great Britain looking for a new home in order to have religious freedom. If Americans actually glance back into the history of the United States they will understand that they are all ancestors of immigrants who came from other countries looking for a better life in the new world. What made the United States a powerful country were the positive contributions of immigrants, such contributions were only possible by the numerous mixing of races while keeping true to their individual cultures; immigrants should adopt to a “melting pot” and a American way of life to have greater opportunities.

Immigration has been a hot button topic in the United States since as early as the 1800s. With the arrival of Europeans from nations such as Ireland or Poland, so also came many prejudices against these people. In the United States today a similar story unfolds down along the Southern border. People of Latino decent continue to cross the border into the US seeking a better life and the American dream. However not all of the individuals are joining the ranks of US citizens by legal means causing many social strains on the public image of immigration. Because of those that enter illegally, policymakers demonize all immigrants and enforce strict immigration and deportation laws. They cite immigration as the reason for crime rates and the dissolution of American values. This harsh rhetoric casts a negative image on all immigrants and is a bigger problem than immigration is.

Increased population in the United States began in the 18th century. Today, a previously stated, this ethnic group is the 2nd. largest minority and will, by the year 2050, comprise over 24% of the population. Currently, this population largely resides in California, Miami, New York, New Mexico, and Texas. The attitudes and belief systems of the second and third generations that did not experience immigration is by far different. These generations are far more assimilated and less insular with their cultural heritage and appreciation intact, mostly. “Understand that Hispanics/Latinos are assimilating to prevalent U. S. culture, but they are not, and probably never will be, fully assimilated. Instead, theirs is a path of acculturation. It is a process of integration of native and traditional immigrant cultural values with dominant cultural ones (Sonderup, 2010)” (et. Al 2008). There is a “differentiation of U. S. born and non-U. S. born (et. Al 2008).” Acculturation and assimilation is advanced due to these generations being bilingual. Statistics show that “Two-thirds of Hispanics ages 16 to 25 are native-born Americans. That figure may surprise those who think of Latinos mainly as immigrants. But the four-decade-old Hispanic immigration wave is now mature enough to have spawned a big second generation of U.S.-born children who are on the cusp of adulthood. Back in 1995, nearly half of all Latinos ages 16 to 25 were immigrants. This year marks the first time that a plurality (37%) of Latinos in this age group are the U.S.-born children of immigrants. An additional 29% are of third-and-higher generations. Just 34% are immigrants themselves (pew research center: Hispanic Trends,

The world has always debated immigration, yet never coming to a conclusion. On the one hand, there are some countries that have been more open to the idea and practice of immigration. Canada is a prime example. From the article, Immigration Policy at the Subnational Level In North America: Quebec and Georgia In Comparative Perspective, written by political science professor at Kennesaw State University, Richard Vengroff, "Canada is an outlier among advanced industrial nations in terms of the overall degree of support for 'existing levels ' of immigration" (150). In other words, Canada is very supportive of increased immigration, believing immigrants offer special attributes that are beneficial to their community. In support, opportunities such as healthcare, language training, settlement, labor and employment, and social services are offered to immigrants of Canada. On the other hand, there are those with completely opposing perspectives. For example, within Mexico aid such as those given in Canada are "constitutionally prohibited, but increasingly tolerated" (Vengroff 145). In sum, Mexico frowns upon immigration so much so that, in their belief, if they offer no pleasurable opportunities, people will have no desire to immigrate to their country.

A. Before you begin reading First Crossing, answer the following questions in COMPLETE SENTENCES. Each question should be at least 2-3 sentences.

As a nation founded and built by immigrants, regardless of the treatment the different immigrant groups have received from the U.S., the very notion of immigration is an essential componant in understanding our nation’s identity. I believe it’s important to recognize and know one’s personal culture and background in their family line. If we are called to remember that somewhere down our family’s history there are immigrants who decided to migrate then I believe that can have a humbling effect, and, as a result, decrease the likelihood of xenophobic behavior to spread across our political system and the social and economic discourse that surrounds immigration. Thus, preserving one’s own culture is important, because it allows us to realize that

Along with its economic classes, American is known for its freedom, its liberty, and the melting pot of ethnicity. This ethnic diversity comes form the immigrant population in the country. However this perfect country is a major falsehood. These untrue ideals of harmony, freedom, success, and equality are deceptive and do not show the struggles that immigrants face when coming to this class dominated country. The immigrants of today do not come from just Europe, but overwhelmingly from Asia and Latin America. “They are driving a demographic shift so rapid that within the lifetimes of today 's teenagers, no one ethnic group – including whites of European descent – will comprise a majority of the nation 's population’ (Colombo, Cullen, Lisle). These immigrants challenge the social myth that everyone has an equal chance in life. They

I selected these particular photos because it represents the immigrants expanding immensely within the Minneapolis, Minnesota community. Immigrants are impacting in banking industries, colleges, and communities. The immigrants are contributing in a positive way to the expansion of the Minneapolis, Minnesota community. It

American writer/reporter, Walter Lippmann, once said, “The great social adventure of America is no longer the conquest of the wilderness, but the absorption of fifty different peoples.” Over the course of its history, the United States has evolved into the country of all countries – in more ways than one. Not only is the US comprised of an array of people from varying locations worldwide, but it is also one of the most desirable destinations for immigrant transfer. The idea of American exceptionalism has resulted in the steady influx of immigrant masses over the course of history which in return has resulted not only in the country’s population growth, but