We are Americans Undocumented Students Pursuing the American Dream - Annotated Bibliography Example

Pérez, W. (2009). We are Americans undocumented pursuing the American dream. Sterling, Va: Stylus. The piece in question illustrates the changing demographics and dynamics of immigration that affected North America; from early colonial periods up until the modern era. As the “old man” illustrated within the story disputes the changes that have taken place, the reality of the fact is that a greater level of social cohesion is represented within the town he lives; even if he might feel uncomfortable with this.

Census data indicated that the vast majority of North American population could trace their own heritage, or that of their parents, to a foreign country. This helps to illustrate the strong immigrant backgrounds that are represented within North America; up until the current time. However, the piece also goes into a great deal of discussion referencing the way in which former immigrants came to view “newer” immigrants as something “separate” and alien. This behavior has had negative ramifications with respect to the degree and extent to which otherwise similar individuals have been able to coalesce into a diverse or homogenous society.

Yet, the authors point to the fact that the same underlying motivation has encouraged virtually all of these immigrants to come to North America; the promise of economic freedom and the ability to start their lives afresh. With this underlying concept standing at the core of similarity between these otherwise diverse peoples, the authors effectively underscore the similarity of self interest serves as the main similarity that is otherwise exhibited.