Immigrants and the City - Essay Example

? Immigrants and the The universe in which we live consists of numerous stars, planets, comets, and asteroids that originated billions and trillions of years ago. While looking at the facet of life structures that subsist and survive, and the utilization of solar and lunar energies on the planet of Earth, makes Earth the most distinctive, unique and exceptional planet in comparison to others discovered in the universe. Water present in the forms of oceans and sea governs the life on Earth, whereas a petite faction of its, is the land with a mixture of gases. The world consists of seven continents and copious countries in it, out of which Untied States of America is one of it. United States of America is one of the developed countries in its economic, political, social, and environmental sectors and is amongst the super powers of the world since decades. Fifty-two states in total makes up the U.S. as a federal constitutional nation. U.S. touches its borders with Canada and Mexico and Washington D.C. is its capital state (United States Bureau of the Census, pp. 640-715, 2004). Due to its gigantic land mass and huge population, United States comes under the world rankings. Diversity dominates the culture of U.S. as people from several races, civilizations and backgrounds reside in it. It is one of the most powerful nations with the strongest and most established economy (Kleniewski, pp. 167-190). U.S. economy comes under handling by the capitalist economical structure and subjects to domination by industrial and service segments. Advanced telecommunication, transportation, and technology govern the success of the financial sector of America. Its economy is trade based and it is one of the leading importers and exporters of manufactured goods and some fossil fuels. It is also a nuclear power and is rich in resources, which makes it potential of producing electrical energy in gargantuan amounts (Kleniewski, pp. 167-190). Agriculture sector contributes a small part in U.S. total income; however, U.S. cultivates some of the important crops on its land. The value of U.S. dollar plays a critical and significant role in governing the currency value of most of the countries in the world (United States Bureau of the Census, pp. 640-715, 2004). United States is a country with the populace from all around the world. The immigration history dates back to several centuries. According to some schools of thought (Fisher, pp. 6-50, 2007), the earliest immigrants were from several regions of European continent and marked the beginning of influx of people in America from different corners of the world, whereas, few believed that Asians were the initial migrants (Kleniewski, pp. 167-190). Where numerous people came to America by their own will, many coercively came under bringing as slaves and labors. The migration pattern experienced a fluctuating trend as many historical events had influenced the happening (Fisher, pp. 6-50, 2007). The purposes with which the immigrants migrated to United States were either religious, slavery and to have a wealthy life or future. The early migrations did not involve any kind of immigration policies and visas as people mostly migrated via sea routes. Consequently, United States observed a major escalation in the population growth and cultural diversity as people from different ethnic backgrounds came and settled there. The discrimination factor has always been present when considering the immigration matter. This enormity became noticeable and got official recognition under an act when countless people inhabited the U.S. territory and government came into formation (Kleniewski, pp. 167-190). According to this Act, white people received higher preference over people of other skin tones such as browns and blacks (Fisher, pp. 6-50, 2007). This practice came under eradication in late twentieth century when legal steps gave equal immigration rights to everyone regardless of their color, race, and religion. The entrance to America became difficult gradually, which made people to adopt illegal ways not only to get an entry into America, but also to prolong their stays without extensions in their visas. (Kleniewski, pp. 167-190) In other words, they started living there with no legal permission and documents. The illegal immigrants managed to do this because of lenient policies of the immigration authorities. The immigration benefited the American government and economy largely as the majority of the immigrants were hard working, determined, exploratory, courageous, entrepreneur and skilled. On the other end of the spectrum, rising population of immigrants was of chief concern for the government in the late 1900s as with the movement of people unwelcome elements such as infectious diseases, crime, cultural conflicts, and over population has crept into American society. Over the passage of time, the government looked into the matter of illegal immigration gravely (Fisher, pp. 6-50, 2007). The United States of America has always been a key place with many respects thus, attracting people from all around the world to go and settle there (Kleniewski, pp. 167-190). One of the foremost reasons for people to migrate from their home country is the economic crisis that has affected the lives of people in developed and underdeveloped nations and has made them suffered a great deal. The effect of the recent recession that has hit the world is still prevailing (Suarez-Orozco & Suarez-Orozco, pp. 10-35, 2005). Due to closedown of many companies and industries, many have become jobless and job opportunities have declined by historic proportions, leaving the highly skilled and educated people unemployed. As breadwinners are losing their jobs, their families are equally suffering due to lack of money to fulfill their basic needs. Many become the victims of stress and frustrations, and being educated they understand the fact that actions like suicide are no solution to get rid of the situation, therefore, they start looking for opportunities in foreign countries and U.S becomes the best prospect for them (Suarez-Orozco & Suarez-Orozco, pp. 10-35, 2005). They leave their families, migrate to U.S. so that they can earn a respectable amount, and send it back home in form of remittances to support them financially and provide quality education to their children apart from fulfilling their wishes. People, especially juvenile travel to U.S. for higher studies as the standard of advanced education over there is higher than many institutions back home. Since they become so adapted to the culture and environment that they prefer to settle in U.S. for the rest of their lives, as they even get job opportunities after graduation. They find it a money making deal as they do not see a hope of bright future in their country of origin. Apart from expecting a bright future, youth also get attracted to the colorful and fast life of U.S. with high standard of living; hence, they are unwilling to leave the luxuries enjoyed by them, as the conditions are unmatchable to their homeland (Suarez-Orozco & Suarez-Orozco, pp. 10-35, 2005). The Untied States initially did not frame any policies for the immigrants but after the incessant rise in the populace of the immigrants, the government formulated the policies for the immigration so that population can come under control and illegal immigration come to a closing stage. The immigration policies (Kleniewski, pp. 167-190) came into classification under many categories. Each had different set of rules and regulations in it, as these groupings include permanent residency, temporary admission, and illegal immigration (DeLaet, pp. 1-20, 2000). The immigrants who receive the green card that is the permission to live in U.S. officially can always apply for the citizenship through legal ways. The temporary immigrants get a visa with a specific reason and they come under expectation to leave the country after their purpose comes under fulfillment. Although it is expensive to apply for permanent residency, yet it is the safest way to live in America. For temporary immigrants, if they leave the country within the specified time, they are in no trouble, but if they extend their stay without official permission, it can pose a threat to them as if they come under the trap of officials they then have to face the consequences that may involve deportation. The illegal immigrant lives in constant fear of coming in sight of authorities where they have to confront the after effects (DeLaet, pp. 1-20, 2000). The immigrants who originally belonged to a poor land or a third world nation such as African countries, they came under treatment like slaves and labors, and did not get a warm welcome from the American community and made subject to low standards of living. Despite these cruel behaviors, they did not wish to return to their homeland due to the reason that the conditions were much better than in their country anyway (Kleniewski, pp. 167-190). After one of the most horrifying terrorist activity that is the incident of 9/11, some racial and religious groups especially Asians and Muslims became the targets of the government and security agencies. These innocent people came under arrest and investigating officials treated them like hard-core criminals without having proofs of their involvement in the incident or any criminal acts. Whereas, the newcomers did not get much opportunities after 9/11 and extensive checking came under performance with them for longer periods at the airport when they arrive (DeLaet, pp. 1-20, 2000). With the influence of the media, the idea developed amongst the American non-Muslim citizens that the entire Muslim community has a link with terrorist activities; newcomers did not get a welcoming environment in which they can settle and prosper (Truthseeker, 2007). Having a beard or dressing up like a Muslim would draw strange looks towards an individual, making him uncomfortable and get a feeling of an alien in the crowd. “Out of Status” is an attempt in the similar aspect that has indicated the changes after 9/11 that resulted in fear in the American society, especially for Muslim population that confronted adverse conditions in the country (Truthseeker, 2007). Initially, the locals used to support the newcomers but the deadly incident of September 11 that support has turned into discouragement and opposition (DeLaet, pp. 1-20, 2000). For instance, the video quotes, “Once detained, people were subjected to abusive practices, people held without charge, they held under communication blackout” (Truthseeker, 2007), which indicates the alterations in the government policies against immigrants, especially Muslim immigrant population. Since many of the immigrants belong to either, urban backgrounds or educated backgrounds are capable of speaking good English, therefore, they do not experience much problem in communicating with other people. Since urban life is fast-paced and is not easy to cope with, migrants prefer to involve themselves with longer hours of work and earning a reasonable amount so that they can uplift their living standards and match them to the locals. They often try to attend social gatherings so that they get to interact with new people so that get the knowledge about the happenings in the society and they can make themselves adjust to the new environment (Bean & Stevens, pp. 199-250, 2005). The migrants residing in the U.S. have made innumerable contributions in the development of United States and has reached its level up to one of the most developed, technologically advanced and industrialized nations of the globe. The immigrants not only brought a wide variety in food and cuisine due to their diverse culture and traditional foodstuffs but they have emerged into innovative scientist and leading doctors. In addition, the immigrants have significantly share the credit to work in construction, agriculture, maintenance, and hospitality sectors. According to the records, the fact has come into limelight that immigrants are regular with tax payments such as sales tax, property tax, and income tax etc. and this has been a great support for the government policies as they strictly follow them (Bean & Stevens, pp. 199-250, 2005). United States of America that is the most developed and urbanized nations of the world has revealed the secret that it would not have been able to reach its position without the help of the immigrants that they have welcomed since many decades. Immigrants not only have brought a great deal of success to them but also have ushered in some negative impacts with it. The immigrants include the people from many different parts of the world that have turned themselves into popular personalities of the globe. With the support of the U.S. government and its policies, almost all of the people have set a standard for their life and have the facility to enjoy the luxuries of being. With the support that America provides to the immigrants, they have made discriminations with some races and religions not only after the 9/11 incident but previously as well. The history has given a clear picture of the immigration policies and the reactions towards the legal and illegal migrants residing in the U.S. Works Cited Bean, Frank D., Stevens, Gillian. America's Newcomers and the Dynamics of Diversity. Russell Sage Foundation, 2005. DeLaet, Debra L. U.S. immigration policy in an age of rights. Greenwood Publishing Group, 2000. Fisher, Ron. The United States: an illustrated history. National Geographic, 2007. Kleniewski, Nancy. Cities, Change, and Conflict. Cengage Learning, 2010. Suarez-Orozco, Marcelo M., Suarez-Orozco, Carola. The new immigration: an interdisciplinary reader. Routledge, 2005. Truthseeker. “Out of Status post 9/11 climate.” YouTube, 2007. Retrieved on June 01, 2011: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6UHPilMa_c United States Bureau of the Census. Statistical abstract of the United States: 2004-2005: the national data book. Government Printing Office, 2004. Read More