Analysis: The (Anti-) American Dreams Of The Immigrants

America has, is, and will always be a nation of immigrants: the great melting pot. In the years that have passed since Emma Lazarus' poem was inscribed on the Statue of Liberty "the golden door" Americans have seen times when the door was open wide and times when it was close shut to most immigrants (Sure 4). Many people look at the present immigration problems as a purely modern dilemma. The truth is America has always struggled with the issue of immigration, both legal and illegal. Changing times, however, makes it imperative that our government reexamines and adjusts today's immigration laws to today's standards. Those standards, however, are not easily defined. Too often the issue of

Everything from classic novels to obscure pieces of literary work can depict the immigrant experience and reflect the author’s opinion and attitude on the subject matter. To my surprise writers during the 1900-1930s had a very “positive and sympathetic” mindset towards eastern European immigrants. This is not the norm for numerous immigrants of a different race or, ethnicity. In most stories written at the time,“The immigrant is portrayed as an economic success” (Elliott 28). This is out of touch with reality since it does not

The American Dream is that dream of a nation in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with options for each according to capacity or accomplishments. It is a dream of social stability in which each man and each woman shall be able to achieve to the fullest distinction of which they are essentially competent, and be distinguished by others for what they are, despite of the incidental conditions of birth or stance. People consider America the land of opportunities, a new beginning to a new life in which they can strive and succeed. America is known as the land of the free where if you have the perseverance you can achieve what you want from life. However does the American Dream apply to even those of color equally?

Triggering Event: Immigrants in the United States from Polish ethnicity have not been warmly received in many instances, and in fact immigrants from Poland often struggle with issues like language and legal status. While much of the focus of the news media zeros in on the issues and problems related to immigrants crossing the border from Mexico, there are other immigrants like those from Poland that also have their problems and issues. As a result of the problems many Polish immigrants experience, there seems to be a movement wherein many of these immigrants are returning to Europe.

“Women sewing NBA jerseys make 24 cents per garment – an item that will eventually sell for $140 or more”(Brandon Gaille). Our most popular American sports uniforms are mainly produced by Nike, who possess a market cap of $ 90 billion. The question, therefore, becomes, why do immigrant workers from developing countries migrate to the United States to work for brand-name companies, when they don’t receive equitable wages and perform in inhumane working conditions? In,”Who Makes the Clothes We Wear”, Jesse Jackson discusses these conditions and unjust treatment of immigrants. Jackson highlights the extreme manual labor hours, inequitable pay, and rash mistreatment of immigrant workers inside name brand sweatshops. He also provides nationwide examples of unjust labor environments in order to think about the disturbing ethics behind name brand clothing production. When examining why workers endure such horrific environments, it is clear that most originate from developing countries. Due to immigrants attempt to obtain a better quality of life, receive any type of wage that they can acquire in the United States, and their constant struggle with the language barrier which affects job opportunities and daily interactions; immigrant workers endure the mistreatment of name brand companies because they seek the American Dream.

Traditionally immigrants are faced numerous challenges on a daily basis. America is known as the place where there is a chances to succeed, a place where you can be free. Numerous Immigrants came to America with the goal that they could have a more noteworthy plausibility at prevailing in life. Settlers went out on a limb a when coming to America, for some it worked out well however for others they had a troublesome time here. Regardless of the battles that the outsiders experienced, for example, emerging from others, being isolated from their families, and breaking their way of life, the settlers are as yet thankful to be in America since they were in preferable conditions over they were in their country.

When I first laid eyes on the local newspaper Saturday morning, I never pictured my dad being recognized for achieving the Mexican-American dream he worked strongly for. The incentive my dad embodied makes him my biggest inspiration for accomplishing my own American dream. Not only do I have big hair but big goals I plan to accomplish as I move on to the next chapter in my life. My goal is to start a business like my father and graduate with a bachelor in Fashion Merchandising. The business aspect of the fashion industry is what interests me to broaden my knowledge in the understanding of business management and marketing.

Immigration, a very popular topic, but most people only think about one side. The U.S citizen side is common knowledge, but what about the immigrant’s side? In the novel, The Book of Unknown Americans, by Cristina Henríquez, and in the article "Sick and Afraid, Some Immigrants Forgo Medical Care”, by Jan Hoffman, the major theme is immigrants and their fear. As shown in the novel and the article, immigrants have feelings and families, hopes and dreams. Immigration is a very controversial issue in the United States, but it should not be, since immigrants are people too, according to both of theses sources. Medical issues, the fear of harm, and unfair treatment, are the major things that both of these sources have in common and agree on. Immigrants are struggling in America, in more ways than one, and many are wondering if coming to America was the right choice.

I found I can relate to this article through my parents who are immigrants themselves. When they came to America, they left their family and friends behind in the Philippines, just as the Russian family and Lindo left their family and friends behind in Russia. My parents also left their jobs behind , my dad left his job as a lawyer to become a teacher, then a nurse soon after. Today, he works 12 hours a day as a nurse and works every other day. My mother left her job as a junior high teacher and became an elementary teacher in a small private school in Texas.

The "American dream" is different for every person. To some it means financial success, to others it means freedom of expression, while others dream to practice their religion without fear. The "American dream" is a complex concept providing immigrants with the hope of better life. The U.S. government provides the environment and resources for everyone to pursue their dreams. Each year millions of people around the world apply for the Diversity Visa lottery program provided by the U.S. government, however only a few thousand people are lucky enough to come here. America is the place where people are judged by their achievements instead of having references or connections. Even though the American economy is in recession and the

“I had always hoped that this land might become a safe and agreeable asylum to the virtuous and persecuted part of mankind to whatever nation they might belong” this quote is by George Washington, but A Country is for all is another quote by Jorge Ramos. Everyone of any culture should be aloud in every country they want. There shouldn't be a law that doesn't let people out of a country to find a great new start for them. In this essay we will be talking about immigrants in the late days, border crossing, and families being separated.

America the land of the free has been an open place for anyone to come and make a better life for themselves and their families. Our freedom has created more opportunities and open fields for anyone of any race, ethnicity, or sex to be able to flourish. Freedom to do almost as one pleases had been more of a crowd drawer than anything else throughout all of history. Freedom of religion, speech, and many legal freedoms of rights even today is a massive promoter of immigration and movement to the U.S. This immigration and movement across the boarder is exactly what The Dream Is Now is targeting. The documentary gives voice to and puts a human face on the undocumented children of immigrants who are desperate to earn their citizenship and give back to the only country they've ever called "home." The film also goes beyond the personal experiences of the individuals but places their stories in the larger pictures and explores the consequences of continuing our current policies and maintaining the status quo. Consequences not just for these young people today, but for our country's future because our future is not what we do today but what our children and the young group of people around us do.

What is the "ideal" immigrant? When talking about immigrants and what we as Canadians consider to be a "good" or "bad" one, what do we mean? Is there such thing as a good or bad immigrant? Canada preaches diversity but when it comes to the ideal immigrant they know exactly who they want to bring into the country. There are several factors that when combined amount to the "ideal" immigrant, these include; high levels of education, high productivity, skills, and knowledge.

The American Dream became established during the time that immigration was increasing. Once people entered the new society, these Americans strived to attain the whole American Dream lifestyle because it offered wealth and individuality. In order to pursue this way of life, it required hard work and time. With so many job opportunities available, those who wanted more for themselves had the chance to go and attain it. After all the hard work they completed, living the dream became a reality. Though the whole American Dream was established decades ago, people still apply it to their lives today and to fulfill this dream, it requires money. Having money allows people to ensure more than their needs, but also to fund their wants. For example,

Individuals are trying to achieve the American Dream, but they cannot achieve it because of who they are and what they believe in. Prejudice and racism has affected the American Dream in a detrimental way. Racism prevents people from achieving their dream because of inequality. Individuals believe that they should be able to praise whatever religion they want and that they should be able to act in their personality. They shouldn’t be judged based upon who they are.