How To Become An American Citizen
When you ask immigrants what comes to mind when you think of America, most respond with the land of opportunity, land of the free, and the pursuit of happiness. People living in poverty from all different countries across the world dream about migrating to America for a better life. But how difficult is it to actually become an American Citizen? In the book, “The Circuit” by Francisco Jimenez, the author puts together short stories of his life from a family of undocumented immigrants of Mexico trying to cross the border to California; in hope to pursue their dream of achieving a better life in America. However, they soon realize the quick reality of an immigrant in America. When their inconsistent jobs cause them to relocate several times a
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When you are living in a country of poverty and dreaming about the great life waiting for you in America, it isn't long before immigrants begin to migrate. People from other countries realize the difficulties attaining visas and becoming American citizens, it often leads immigrants to birthright citizenship; granting their child's citizenship at birth instead of going through struggles to gain it when they are older(anchor baby). Due to the narrow path to become an American Citizen;birthright citizenship or the naturalization process, immigrants often find themselves coming undocumented. The realization of not being a legal immigrant in the eyes of the law, “means living a different reality”(vargas). It evokes constant fear, and no room for trust. Franciscos father drills this fear in him and his brothers as he continues to warn them how importrant it is to make sure no one knows they are illegal, “You have to be careful.You can’t tell a soul you were born in Mexico”(pg 115). They always have to look behind their back and be ready to hide from the immigration officers that often invaded the camps, “searching for undocumented workers who ran into the wilderness, trying to escape”(page 114). Being legal is far more than a label, it changes all aspects in your life especially your level of trust with
When you are living in a country of poverty and dreaming about the great life waiting for you in America, it isn't long before immigrants begin to migrate. People from other countries realize the difficulties attaining visas and becoming American citizens, it often leads immigrants to birthright citizenship; granting their child's citizenship at birth instead of going through struggles to gain it when they are older(anchor baby). Due to the narrow path to become an American Citizen;birthright citizenship or the naturalization process, immigrants often find themselves coming undocumented. The realization of not being a legal immigrant in the eyes of the law, “means living a different reality”(vargas). It evokes constant fear, and no room for trust. Franciscos father drills this fear in him and his brothers as he continues to warn them how importrant it is to make sure no one knows they are illegal, “You have to be careful.You can’t tell a soul you were born in Mexico”(pg 115). They always have to look behind their back and be ready to hide from the immigration officers that often invaded the camps, “searching for undocumented workers who ran into the wilderness, trying to escape”(page 114). Being legal is far more than a label, it changes all aspects in your life especially your level of trust with