San Jacinto Scholarship Summary

Humanity is ever so much more complicated than one could have ever imagined. Humans can thrive on change, but ultimately look for something to declare as home. In search of this home people travel long distances and risk everything they have. When an American contemplates the word immigrant, one imagines the countless people from Mexico crossing into our country or the refugees that hope to make this country their home. What eludes most of us, however, is the reality that most people were, at one point, immigrants to this country and that our forefathers came here exactly the same as refugees come today. What is brought to mind when I hear the word immigrant is hope and perseverance. I remember the countless people who have traveled here

The articles "We Are Not A Nation of Immigrants" by Gina Loudon and "Many Forget U.S. is a Nation Built by Immigrants" by Lisa Miller both focus on immigrants living in America. Loudon's essay is primarily focused on how the United States is a nation created by pioneers and settlers; she argues that the U.S. is not a nation built by immigrants. Miller focuses her essay on the idea of America being a melting pot; she calls America a "blend of many different world cultures" (1). Despite the contrasting focuses of the essays, both Loudon and Miller are discussing aspects of immigration that either benefit or negatively impact America's future.

Dating back to the colonial era the United States has always experienced immigration. From the pilgrims in the 1600’s to the first day Ellis Island opened in the late 1800’s to the Holocaust victims in the 1940’s to now. I believe the journey and success America has gained over time would not be possible without the many immigrants all over the world. They help the American economy thrive; despite how much they have to go through everyday illegal immigrants work and contribute to the United States.

“We are a country where people of all backgrounds, all nations of origin, all languages, all religions, all races, can make a home. America was built by immigrants” Hillary Clinton stated. What she means in this quote is immigrants had a huge influence on America. America would be extremely different without them, without the diverse population here we would not know or be exposed to the different cultures, languages, and religions that we know today.

Everybody knows that the United States is a nation of immigrants. Immigration to the United States first began when the first English settlers arrived at Jamestown,Virginia.

There are many phrases that dehumanize an individual. One of these phrases is illegal immigrant. The phrase has been used by media outlets, politicians, and the public for years in the United States. It diminishes the idea that diversity is substantially vast in our country (Chomsky, 2014). “Immigrants exhibit a large proportion of ingenious and valuable workmen,” said Founding Father, Thomas Jefferson. In 2013, more than 41.3 million of the United States population were immigrants. This made up 13 percent of the U.S. population at the time and the percentage has only increased since then (Zong and Batalova). On November 20th of 2014, President Barack Obama addressed the nation regarding his plans on immigration. The President said, “My fellow Americans, we are and always will be a nation of immigrants. We were strangers once, too” (The White House). An illegal immigrant is defined as a foreign-born, undocumented individual who migrates across the national borders in a way that infringes the immigration regulations and laws of the country (United States Department of Homeland Security). There are many reasons as to how and why this phrase receives adverse responses. Illegal immigrant is a phrase that labels and misrepresents the undocumented individuals of the United States who are an influential and dynamic part of the society.

An immigrant in terms mean a subject of legal and political subject far from gaining the citizenship and rights. The influx of exclusive classes constituting immigrants admission into the nations was a biggest concern with the idea that the national body should be protected from contaminants of social degeneracy. The idea of deportation played central role in immigration policy. According to the critics, deportation is unjust in the case of separating families. Ironically appeal to prevent family separation was effective in the areas with numerous European immigrants were found. I agree with that statement because intruding into peaceful family privacy is doing wrong. Giving the option to free migration is important in furthering the process of capitalist industrialization of America. This pattern of this trend is still persist in modern day immigration.

“We are nation of immigrants. Some came here willingly, some unwillingly. Nonetheless, we are immigrants, or the descendants of immigrants, one, and all. Even the natives came from somewhere else, originally. All of the people who come to this country come for freedom, or for some product of that extraordinary, illusory condition. That is what we offer here—freedom and opportunity in a land of relative plenty.” (Middletown Journal 2005)

Most businesses don’t complain about overcrowding because it increases their profits. Immigrants can’t increase crowding when the United States is halfway almost overpopulated. If you look at it this way the more people you have in a country can have both pros and cons. The pros are illegal immigrants contribute to making the country more vibrant & richer in culture, they could also bring their skills and amazing culture with them. A diverse country is a welcoming country. But there’s always a con, people say that immigrants could come to America and start terrorist attacks, or hate crimes.

The impact of illegal immigration in America is a burden on the government and its citizens. The high population of illegal immigrants are taking jobs away from the lower class of American citizens, since they are willing to work for less money and more hours. Illegal immigrants also use a great deal of government services, such as welfare, to support their large families. The only problem with them using a bundle of government services is that they are using more money in services than they are actually paying the government. The money for those services come from the upper and middle class citizens living the United States. Illegal immigrants benefit the economy by working for less, but are actually costing the government and the citizens;

Based on its history, it can be argued that the United States is itself composed of immigrants; thus, to put limits on immigration would be to contradict its own existence. Immigration has been critical to the history of the United States and has contributed significantly to the country in many ways. In addition, I maintain that the forward progress and strength of America as a country depends on, and benefits from, an immigrant population. Type equation here. ...we are and always will be a "Every American who ever lived, nation of immigrants. We

Immigration’s Truth Today, there is no debate on whether or not America is a country filled with immigrants because that’s exactly what America is, and has been for many, many decades. Immigration has given many fortunate people a chance to start over, create a life for themselves and their family, including you and me. If it weren’t for our ancestors immigrating to America, our life would not be what it is today. Cole successfully gives unbiased facts that support his thesis and gives logical reasoning to back his statements.

The United States of America is, “a nation of immigrants” as John F. Kennedy called it. Apart from the Native American ancestry, all others trace their culture back to somewhere else (Soerens, M. 2013). In my opinion, the U.S has increasing rate of immigrants, than any other country. It is also successful in providing facilities like education, employment and various career opportunities for global immigrants even today.

No matter how strict the United States gets with here immigration policies, immigrants find a way in. Today there are over 42.4 million immigrants living in the U.S., 11.9 of which are undocumented (Soylu, Buchanan). Known for being the land of opportunity, the United States often sounds like the ideal location for migration when searching for a new life, with a new job. In fact, the U.S. was founded by colonist who migrated from Europe to the Americas (Dudek). However, nowadays, American is no longer so much of a "nation of immigrants", but a nation against immigrants. Generations down the line, people forget that everyone's family started out with one immigrant. This leads to inequity between citizens and immigrants, especially in the workplace.

This topic was one of the biggest topics discussed in the presidential debates of 2016. Because this issue has many consequences, people should be able to form an argument that conveys their opinion without presenting a logical fallacy that will undermine their entire argument. Some of the people who believe immigration is one of the biggest reasons the U.S. is a great country use the past to build their argument. They say, “After our huge wave of immigration at the turn of the century, America went on to greatness.” (Garling, Scip).