Shadowed Lives: Undocumented Immigrants in American Society - Essay Example

ETHNOGRAPHY REVIEW ON: Shadowed Lives: Undocumented Immigrants in American Society By Leo R. Chavez The Issues on Immigration and the Social Status of the United States Leo Chavez, the author of “Shadowed Lives”, has naturally insisted on pointing out the different issues of immigration in the United States and how the illegalities of the said matter affects the entire American society. It could be observed that through his writing, readers would have an intense and rather informative source of understanding as to how wide the effects of illegal immigration is to the economic and social growth of America. The problem of illegal immigration at present is continuously increasing and arousing much more concerns from the public. This aspect in the social legality of a nation’s territorial rights became very much controversial since it actually encompassed the ethical aspects over legality and constitutional amendments. Legally, a nation has their own constitutional right for national territory and the fundamental establishment of their borders secluding their legal sovereignty apart from the other nations wherein they also have their rights to protect it from invasion and unauthorized immigration. However, the ethical aspect of life and human rights for shelter and residence usually comes in contrast to the said legal amendment wherein some people or social minority often comes in violation to the said principle for the sake of survival and comfort. Some people become stakeholders in risking their own freedom by immigrating to other countries even though in illegal approach as they lack legal access and permission to do so. Commonly, these people are being pushed by certain social and political problems such as war conflicts, social problems, employment concerns, and opportunity for better living. To address this alarming problem, nations and together with their diplomatic coalition are now creating intervening approaches to deal with the problem of illegal immigration. Governments, mainly the United States of America are even willing to chance their residing illegal aliens a chance to become legal citizen of their respective country (Beck, 2001). However, to stop the rampant violation of the border law, government are still very much determined to strengthen their security and implement community inspection for illegal aliens hiding in the shadows of their territory. Immigration has its own rightful process based on the constitutional right of the state, which is to be respected and followed accordingly in its legal nature. The Real Issues of Current Immigration in the United States The current economic status of the world and the movements that are proposed to support the growing need for economic expansion primarily leads to the application of the globalization of systems including the lives of the people within the human society. One of the results of such advancement is the existence of immigration. All over the world, there are many countries that become host to several immigrants from neighboring areas. Australia as an example holds at least 52% of its population that came from immigrating nationalities within the said country. Among the countries, which became a common host for immigrants is the American Region. Although the immigration rules are not that easy to pursue, it could not be denied that since the said region of the world holds so much promise for the people, as they see the Americas as the land of their dreams, there is certainly nothing that could keep them away from reaching their goals, even tight immigration procedures could not stop them. Through illegal entrance within the border of the country, they are able to create possibilities with regards living within the American regions. There are several nationalities that have dominated the American states already since the year when the First and Second World War ended. At some point, this procedure of transferring from country to country has been causing both advantages and disadvantages for the United States. As William H. Frey (1999) commented: “Clearly, Asian and Hispanic immigrants are spilling over into regions of the United States with which they are not normally easily associated. Todays migration will carry the new minorities into labor markets in communities such as Salt Lake City, Minneapolis, Oklahoma City and Colorado Springs. (http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/itsv/0699/ijse/frey.htm). From this point, it could be noted that the immigration rate in America indeed affects their social living as well as the American society’s cultural heritage. Reports pertain to pointing the highest immigration rates to Hispanics or Latinos who prefer to stay within the American borders rather than in their own country. Knowing that these people are the ones who are primarily invading the country’s cultural and social connections, it could be observed that they too are the ones who are having overall domination in several sates of the country. How are these claims proven and how do the reports on Hispanic immigration affect the American way of living? This is what is going to be tackled within the paragraphs that shall follow. The History of Latino Immigration in the American Region The massive immigration rate of Latinos towards the Americas even dates way back the exploration period of the Spanish empire. The Spaniards were able to unveil the beautiful land of America and were thus able to create possible communities before. However, they did not prefer to stay as much when they saw the different riches of the lands to the pacific islands of Asia. However, just during the later decades, the Mexican society gained freedom away form the Spanish rule, hence giving them larger chances of living their lives the way they want to and finally finding their own way in supporting their own community. The autonomy however leads to a more complicated move. They did not prefer to simply stay within their countries because of the system of governance that was implemented then and because of the country itself. Hence, when they saw that the American regions best suited their needs, they began to transfer to the said country. Since then, every year, the immigration rate increases. As it has been noted through historical reports: “In 1900, the total Mexican-American population was estimated to be between 380,000 and 560,000. The early 1900s saw a sharp increase in the number of Mexican immigrants as economic conditions in Mexico worsened…” (World Book and the Globe, 2005, HIHAI, Internet) Yes, the chaotic situation in Mexico forced the people to leave their own land and proceed with their lives in other countries. America was the primary target of the said minority. Miami particularly attracted them because of the climate of the state and the Mexico-like ambiance in the said American territory. During the late 1990’s, the immigration rate of Hispanics coming in the American territories tripled and began to invade the American society in large numbers. As the said report continues: “From the 1970s to the early 1990s, large numbers of Hispanic immigrants came from war-torn countries in Central America, including El Salvador and Nicaragua. Many of these immigrants were children and teen-agers whose parents had been killed or had disappeared. Some U.S. citizens felt that Central Americans fleeing military conflict should be granted political asylum in the United States…” (World Book and the Globe, 2005, HIHAI, Internet) Now, the realization of both the advantages and the disadvantages of the situation are currently seen. It could be noted that movements of social change are being created so as to cater to both the cultures of the Hispanic groups of supposed “minorities” and the interest of those who are natives of the land. However, because of the ration of the number of the said immigrants, the balance of the systematic movements are feared to fail in their own way as the application of the said changes becomes much impossible as the strength of the Latino influence within the American society increases as well. The Changes Brought About by the Hispanic Invasion It could not be denied that as the population grows the system of the society of the American region changes as well. Sadly, the immigration’s strong influence within the said society has primarily made a radical change within the lives of the American natives. With the population rate of the Hispanic immigrants in the country, it could be observed that their voice becomes even louder than the natives. The fear of the American is that there is a possibility that one time, they would be more confident and thus they make take over the American region as well. Immigrants are supposed to be treated as primary minorities of the host country. However, because of the growing number of the Hispanics, they are now considered majority of the American population. Statistics prove this particular claim: Diagram 1: Population Statistics in America Between the 1960’s towards the year 2000 (Source: Samuel P. Huntington. 2004, the Hispanic Challenge) Diagram Analysis: From the figures shown above, it could be observed that the population growth of immigrants in the United States in 2000 primarily results to population boost within the Mexican group. According to reports, at least 35% of the said growth is sourced out from birthing and the rest comes from massive entry of the Mexican immigrants that continues up until the present time. These figures certainly prove the fact that the claims of the dominance of Mexican immigrants within the American society are all true. As for a fact, especially within the territories of Miami, the Mexican immigrants there already managed to create their own communities called pueblos, whereas they have their own local government. It is as if they are creating a small replica of Mexico within the territories of the American region. Because of the numerous treaties that the American government have signed and unsigned and signed again before, the possibility of keeping situations like this from happening seems quite impossible to happen. Hence, the Americans are forced to live with the changes brought about by the said immigration. What are these changes? (A) Education Because of the radical movements pursued by the Mexican community living within the borders of America, several adjustments have been made within the educational system of the said country. More likely, because of being minors in the society, in terms of original birth place, only a few among the Mexican community could afford bringing their children to the private institutions of education. As a result, the public schools become filled with the population that is primarily dominated by the minorities. With this scene in sight, it could be concluded that the educational procedures of the said public institutions would be forced to adjust to what the students need. Particularly, not all of them speak the native language, English. Now, as it could be observed, Spanish-English classes are pursued so as to cater to the Mexican immigrants’ children. The uncontrolled development of the Spanglish language is also obviously seen as part of the said change. Table 1: The Mexican Original-based Educational Background (Source: Samuel P. Huntington. 2004, the Hispanic Challenge) Table Explanation: With the digits shown above, it is obvious that most of the Mexicans are able to incur lower than average education from their own country. As a result, it could be expected that the challenge in assisting them with their studies, considering that most of them are not accustomed to speaking in English, the pressures are placed upon the shoulders of the American educators. Adjusting to the needs of the minorities actually aggravates the already chaotic situation within the educational system of American Public Schools. (B) Culture and Family Remarriage and cultural influence among the American nationals becomes a strong impact on the American society from the Mexican communities in the country. From reports, the following data have been derived: Table 2: Hispanic and Asian Remarriage in America (Source: Samuel P. Huntington. 2004, the Hispanic Challenge) Table explanation The impact of remarriage among old-Americans is noted to be rather influential in terms of their living. Most of the said old-aged American men and women are moved to adapt to the system of cultural procedures and activities of the ones that they have been remarried to. Most likely, these figures would show the instance that the influence of the Mexicans among the Americans’ lives is directly affecting them traditionally and culturally. The adaptation to the culture helps them become more Hispanic than becoming the Americans that they really are. (c) On Work and Employment Before, only rank and file positions could be taken by minorities within organizational arrangements in the United States. However, today the figure of the surveys suggests otherwise: Diagram 2: Profession and Employment Statistics (Source: Samuel P. Huntington. 2004, the Hispanic Challenge) Diagram Analysis: From the diagrams and figures shown herein, it could be observed that the increasing number of Mexican or Latino immigrants within the territories of the United States primarily worsens the situation in the American society. The growth rate of their population even threatens the stability of the American community. Hence, radical changes should really be implemented with regards this particular issue. The Hispanic Laws and Rights Migration Policy Institute or MPI has been formed to regulate the effects of massive migration within the American society. To be bale to perform its duties well, the institution tries to implement rules based from certain regulatory policies. In this case, they follow the four pillars of research as follows: • Migration Management This procedure helps the officials of the organization find ways by which they could be able to regulate the coming in and coming out of migrants from the country. It could be noted that through this particular procedure, the migrants are able to understand the policies that they should understand and take into consideration when they are trying to fit in within the American society. • Refugee Protection and International Humanitarian Response The American society has always been opened for the immigrants especially for those who are seeking refuge from the much strife that they experience from the countries which they came from. Through this pillar of procedure in the institution, the migrants are given the protection that they need from violent acts that could be done against them due to discrimination and unparallel treatment to all the people within the society. • North American Borders and Migration Agenda The borders and migration agenda certainly helps the officials of the institution evaluate why the migrants intended to enter the borders of the country. This procedure helps the regulation of the reasons why the country would actually accept the migrants within its borders. The policies needed to be followed certainly make it easier for the officials whether the immigrants are worthy of the chance given for them to stay in the country or not. • Immigrant Settlement and Integration The immigrants primarily need to be assisted to be able to understand the adjustments that they need to take in connection with the laws that are related to the migration procedures of the country. It could be noted that the policies of the country are obviously new to the migrants. Hence, they need to be oriented of what they are about to face if they choose to stay within the country. These procedures of assisting and protecting the welfares and the interests of the migrants primarily lead to the fact that the American region aims to protect the migrants. However, the government of the said country too aims to recreate their communities back in their own countries and later on bring the migrants back where they came from. However, the actual situation today makes the policies hard to deal with because of the numerous immigrants who are able to enter the borders of the country in an illegal procedure. The problems are higher and they are even harder to deal with as the years pass. Conclusion Immigration cannot be prevented especially within the systems of economic progress that the present human civilization adapts itself to. Unfortunately, immigration, as hoped by the enthusiasts of globalization, does not return the expected results of cultural diversity within the different communities in the world. The study presented in this paper primarily shows the negative side of massive immigration within a certain country. Strongly, the result of the immigration procedures brings drastic changes to the lifestyle, the culture, the systems and the institutions of the host country. It could be considered then that the empowered immigrants, particularly the Latinos, who are currently residing –in America could endanger the cultural heritage of the country. The invasion that the Mexicans make within the American society brings so much impact on how the new generation of America sees their own country’s culture and traditions. Certainly, if the American government does not act with regards this issue right now, it is not impossible that one day, America would be an exact replica of what Mexico. As Samuel Hunnington further adds in the conclusion of his study: “Such a transformation would not only revolutionize the United States, but it would also have serious consequences for Hispanics, who will be in the United States but not of it… There is no Americano dream... Mexican Americans will share in that dream and in that society only if they dream in English.” (Source: Samuel P. Huntington. 2004, the Hispanic Challenge) Changes in the policies that are utilized to examine the immigration purposes of people coming in and out of the country should indeed be closely evaluated. By this procedure, the system used by the officials in assessing the reasons of the migrant’s staying in the country would become more effective, especially in briefing the said minorities on their duties, their rights and their limitations from the provisions of the US government. If this is not done early, it is not impossible for radical adjustments of minorities becoming the major population in America and the natives of the country becoming mere visitors to their own land. References: Primary Source: Chavez, Leo. (1997). Shadowed Lives: Undocumented Immigrants in American Society. Wadsworth Publishing; 2 edition. Secondary Sources: Philippa Strum and Andrew Selee. (March 29, 2004). The Hispanic Challenge? What We Know About Latino Immigration. Division of United States Studies and Mexico Institute, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. The Migration Policy Institute. Samuel P. Huntington. (March/April 2004). The Hispanic Challenge. The Foreign Policy. David Heer. Immigration in Americas Future: Social Science Findings and the Policy Debate (Boulder: Westview Press, 1996). Marcelo M. Suárez-Orozco. (1998). Crossings: Mexican Immigration in Interdisciplinary Perspectives (Cambridge: Harvard Universitys David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies. Jorge I. Domínguez and Rafael Fernández de Castro. (2001). The United States and Mexico. New York: Routledge. Peter Skerry. (1993). Mexican Americans: The Ambivalent Minority (New York: Free Press. World Book and Globe. (1999). History of Hispanic American Immigration. http://www.worldbook.com/features/cinco/html/immigration.htm. (December 10, 2008). William H. Frey. (1999). THE UNITED STATES POPULATION: WHERE THE NEW IMMIGRANTS ARE. http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/itsv/0699/ijse/frey.htm. (December 10, 2008). Read More