It is well known that a person born in the United States is an automatic citizen regardless of the mother's citizenship status. However, the United States is unusual in its offer of citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil. Only a few European countries still grant automatic citizenship at birth. The United Kingdom and Australia repealed their U.S. style policy in the 1980s after witnessing abuses similar to those plaguing the U.S. today. Why does the United States continue to allow a practice subject to widespread fraud? The answer lies in how American jurisprudence has interpreted the 14th Amendment to the Constitution.…
Immigrants and their assimilation into America is a long standing occurrence, with initial experiences by the Pilgrims of the early 1600s to the first documentation of mass immigration with the arrival of Catholic and Jewish immigrants, from Italy and Russia during the colonial era in the late 1800s to early 1900s. With this influx at the time being labelled as “New Immigration”, “Nativists feared the new arrivals lacked the political, social, and occupational skills needed to successfully assimilate into American culture” (Wikipedia). These historical concerns continue to evolve in modern debate of the pros and cons of immigrant assimilation, the conflicting interests of Immigrant and Nation, and examination of the meaning of the term “assimilation’…
During the late 19th century and early 20th century, immigration to the United States was wrought with challenges. The newly arriving aliens were met with racist native-borns who feared that they would threaten their way of life. This tension between these new groups facilitated the U.S. government’s anti-immigration laws, which also caused political outbursts from those who supported immigrants.…
John F. Kennedy once exclaimed, “Every American who ever lived, with the exception of one group, was either an immigrant himself or a descendant of immigrants(A Nation Of Immigrants page 3)." John was known for his irish-catholic heritage, and he served as one of our most beloved presidents. John A. Treutlen was the first naturalized citizen governor. Treutlen’s parents were raised with British ideals. When Treutlen went off to America to make something of himself, his parents called him worthless (D). However, he rose above his heritage to bring great ideas to American policies. Treutlen wasn’t the only citizen considered worthless. In fact many immigrants feel like this when they come to America. They want to prove to their families (and themselves) that…
The debate over the United States immigrant policy has been going an issue since the first immigrant stepped foot in America. Many Americans believe that it is unfair that people from other countries can come to America and take opportunities from people born in America. Arnold Schwarzenegger writes, An Immigrant Writes, to shed some light on his belief that our policy should be revised to help both immigrants and Americans. Mr. Schwarzenegger’s article, An Immigrant Writes, was a compelling argument but was not successful because of his lack of ethos, detail, and refutation.…
The United States of America originally a nation of immigrants is rapidly becoming a nation of native born citizens. We have by now had an opportunity to produce the native-born individual someone we might label as an “American”. Today, the number of foreign-born persons in the United States is about 3,000,000 of the population, and about 5,000,000 of Americans are the children of immigrants. Due to the new Immigration Reform and Control Act the days of mass immigration are over, but the influence of the movement will never be eased. (Arun and Daniel p.1)…
Immigration has been the foundation of America for over three centuries: from the pilgrims on the Mayflower, the colonists from the Virginia Company, the African Americans from the slave trade, and many who fled Ireland’s potato famine. The United States has always provided immigrants job opportunities, a chance to fulfill one’s dreams, and an occasion to experience many civil liberties. However, over the last twenty years, United States Immigration and Custom Enforcement has been limiting and controlling the number of immigrants coming into the United States. Their procedures are extensive that require money, identity verification, and time; these are some things that illegal aliens do not have. In…
Specifically, he maintains that the Immigration Act of 1965 has triggered a mass immigration consisting of migrants that are significantly different in ethnic origin from the resident population and that this migration is causing a radical change in the demographic composition of the population which will lead to a breakdown in the ties that bind the nation together. Furthermore, he suggests that this migration policy, which is designed to be free of any trace of racism or xenophobia, is not only creating an alien nation, but is doing so despite the wishes of the majority of the current resident population. The author also makes the case that immigration is, and always has been, of much less importance to American economic growth than is conventionally assumed.” (Brim low P 1995)…
Since the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act was signed, many Asians immigrated from Asia to America and have been taking over college applications. In result, of many Asian immigrants wishing to live the American dream, they work hard and their college applicants are highly qualified. When majority of the students are Asian many questions and problems arose. In response, requirements for each ethnic group were raised or lowered in order for more diversity in some colleges. This caused more anger from the Asian community and many colleges, universities and ivy leagues received many lawsuits for discrimination. In order for colleges to reverse the problems they have created and have the same results, they need to cap the amount of students…
Immigration in the United States is a complex demographic activity that has been a major contribution to population growth and cultural change throughout much of the nation's history. The many aspects of immigration have controversy in economic benefits, jobs for non-immigrants, settlement patterns, crime, and even voting behavior. Congress has passed many laws that have to do with immigrants especially in the 19th century such as the Naturalization Act of 1870, and the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882, or even the Immigration Act of 1903 all to insure specific laws and boundaries set on immigrants. The life of immigrants has been drastically changed throughout the years of 1880-1925 through aspects such as immigrants taking non-immigrants wages and jobs, the filtration process of immigrants into the United States, and lastly, the foreign policies of the immigrants and their allowance into the nation.…
In the essay, Immigration and MIgration, author Hasia Diner discusses the effect of immigrants on the United States during the late nineteenth century, especially with regard to their effect on industrialism. The late 1800s was a time of immense industrialization and the outbreak of monopolies controlled by robber barons like Andrew Carnegie, JP Morgan, and John D. Rockefeller. Diner argues that although these individuals controlled the industry, immigrants played an immense role in industrialization in that they provided the huge labor force which was required to run factories. Even with the development of technology which could help expedite the process of producing goods, a labor force was still required to run the machines. Immigrants during this era were flowing in by the millions from every corner of the globe. Diner…
Throughout history immigration has always been evident in the United States, but in the recent years the amount of influx of immigrants has greatly increased and continues to grow. In the history books we study, immigration was always seen as an opportunity for America to grow and develop with the unique cultures and innovations that immigrants brought in. Today, immigration is seen in a negative light because people all around the country have an oversimplified idea of why people come to the United States and what they hope to achieve. In the belief of several Americans, when immigrants come to the United States they take jobs, increase crime, and do not make an effort to live the American culture. The problem with this common belief is that it is misconstrued; there is not enough knowledge in the country of the real issues. This issue is compelling to me and vital in this country because the lack of knowledge is causing the definition of the United States as a “free country” that is openly diverse, is coming to a standstill as the opinions throughout the country constantly contradict this idea of freedom and diversity.…
America, “The Land of Opportunity,” attracts many. Individuals that are drawn to America and its benefits include tourists and even illegal immigrants or “Undocumented Immigrants.” Immigration refers to the act of journeying to a country with the intent to stay permanently. The United States offers legal admission but the process can often prove to be tedious and cumbersome. In an attempt to bypass the U.S. legal system, individuals may resort to unlawful access to the country. Immigration should be encouraged because diversity makes for a stronger, more unique country, but it should not be done so in an unlawful and inappropriate manner including one that hinders Americanism.…
For the most part, Asians have had a rough time becoming equals in American society. But because of their hard work, and strong family ethics Asians as a whole have definitely become a keystone in the society of the United States.…
The evening news is ripe with controversial legislation, policy and debate from the lawmakers of the United States. Some of the most interesting headlines in recent history discuss the huge battles on labor laws in Wisconsin and Iowa, the anticipation of a Republican front runner for the upcoming Presidential elections, and discussion of our nation’s ability to understand and predict future happenings in Libya, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Any of these topics could spark a heated conversation in any coffee house or roadside diner in this country but perhaps there is no issue which stays on the forefront, which riles testy tempers, and which needs to be discussed so much as this country’s policies on immigration. Certainly immigration has served as a major theme of nearly every generation of this country’s existence from the early waves of settlers, to the Chinese influx during the railroad days, to the pouring in of Europeans through Ellis Island but never before has the media clung to the issue with such tenacity bringing about the public demand for change. The laws in place are not working to curb illegal immigration and the harshest policies are serving to destroy communities and drive away the very hard-working and humble personalities that this country needs the most. Now is the time for the government of the United States to considerately review and amend laws regarding immigration to this country and provide a modern, safe and reasonable system for immigration.…