Americans Are Immigrants!

Michael Belcaster
English 1020
Final Draft Essay #2

Americans are Immigrants!

"Everywhere immigrants have enriched and strengthened the fabric of American life," was the words of former American president, John F. Kennedy (American Immigration: Quotes about Immigration). Immigrants have been in America for many years now. Today many people have different opinions about whether immigrants should be allowed into America freely, or if there should be more harsh regulations to those coming into the country. After September 11, people have been afraid, or scared of foreigners coming to America. "Today a wide-open door is an invitation to national disaster," was said by FAIR (American Immigration: Quotes about Immigration). I believe this quote is very wrong. People come to our country to find a better place to live, and have a family. They come here for the opportunities, the jobs, and for the pleasures of all the freedom America has to offer. I believe immigrants should freely be able to come into America. One reason why immigration should be allowed freely into our country all started a long time ago. As early as the 1600's when Americans were using Africans as slaves, the Americans brought these Africans over to America for their own benefits (American Immigration: Assimilation? If so, to What Degree?). As soon as these Africans came to America their title from Africans changed to African-Americans. This means that they are in fact American. After slavery stopped in later years, the now African-Americans had the chance to go back to their homelands, but refused to (American Immigration: Assimilation? If so, to What Degree?). They were so used to being around their American masters that, they now knew how to speak English. This helped them live strong in America, because they already had an advantage over most other immigrant, because they were fluent in their home language, and the American language (American Immigration: Assimilation? If so, to What Degree?). This is good because, immigrants have brought so many other languages into America that it causes us to expand our knowledge and learn other languages. Chinese immigrants were getting paid as little as nine hundred dollars a month, while working a eleven hour workday (American Immigration: Assimilation? If so, to What Degree?). But for Chinese immigrants our country is still offering better opportunities to the immigrants then their native country of China; where there are about 50 million unemployed people according to Chinas' statistics (American Immigration: Assimilation? If so, to What Degree?). So, our country is offering way more opportunities then others. Immigrants are coming to this country to have it better. There are many reasons on why immigrants come here to America. Many immigrants come to America for political freedom. They come here to enjoy the feeling of the Amendments that our country has. They want to have the freedom of speech, press, etc. They also come here to flee their land from religion. They want to live in America so they could believe in what they want to believe. In some countries they force you to believe in certain idea. In America they can express themselves anyway they wish. Immigrants also come to America for economic opportunities. They want a better way of life, better jobs, and more money for their families (American Immigrants: Reasons for Immigration). Another reason for immigration is like once already stated, forced immigration, or slavery (American Immigrants: Reasons for Immigration). The United States offered land that was very cheap and very plentiful (American Immigrants: Reasons for Immigration). This attracted immigrants because when coming to the country they were very poor. Since the land was so rich, they could make money by farming, or doing anything else with the land. America offered many opportunities for immigrants. They had plenty of employment to offer to the new Americans. There were plenty of jobs in dry cleaners, news stands, grocery shops, machine shops, and garment factories (American Immigrants: Opportunities for and Success for Immigrants). These jobs were good for immigrants because it offered money, but they were jobs the needed more skill then knowledge, since most older immigrants were not well educated. Immigrants were able to live in a home, if they had the money. They would live in an apartment in the city, or a house in the slums (American Immigrants: Opportunities for and Success for Immigrants). This was not the best, but it was a start to a dream that they have. Immigrants also came here from their countries for education. Most children were able to attend public schools and earn a education. Some immigrants bunch up in their own neighborhoods, and work together to help survive the racism, and stereotypes they faced. Some immigrants are also now political figures. The immigrants have also brought their own culture into America. They have gave Americans the joy of spaghetti, tacos, and many other cultural dishes. They have changed the way America is for the better. Like J. Hector St. Josh de Crevecouer once said, "What, then, is this new man, the American? They are a mixture of English, Scotch, Irish, French, Dutch, Germans, and Swedes. From this promiscuous breed, that race, now called Americans, have arisen" (American Immigrants: Quotes About Immigrants). So, as you can see, Immigrants aren't here to do harm, they are here to experience life at its fullest. They want the joy that all of us today experience. They came her for the benefits for themselves, and for their family. They wanted better jobs, more money, and most of all they wanted freedom to express themselves how they wish. Immigrants should have the right to come into America, and become one of us. "Remember, remember always, that all of us… are descended from immigrants and revolutionists," Franklin D. Roosevelt (American immigrants: Quotes About Immigrants).

Works Cited

"Assimilation? If so, to What Degree?" American Immigration. 27 February 2005. http://www.bergen.org/AAST/Projects/Immigration/assimilation.html .
"Opportunities for and Success for Immigrants." American Immigration. 27 February 2005. http://www.bergen.org/AAST/Projects/Immigration/opportunities.html.

"Quotes About Immigrants." American Immigration. 27 February 2005. http://www.bergen.org/AAST/Projects/Immigration/quotes_about_immigration.html.

"Reasons for Immigration." American Immigration. 27 February 2005. http://www.bergen.org/AAST/Projects/Immigration/reasons_for_immigration.html.