Immigration in America- a definition essay.

It is part of human nature to search for greener pastures and migrate from one location to

another. History has shown us that there has been migration since ancient times when entire

tribes would migrate from one location to the other. However the difference between that and

what has can be seen in today’s world is that individuals migrate from their underdeveloped

countries to locations halfway across the globe in search of better employment and a better way

of life. These migrants once having secured a foothold in the country of their choice bring more

of their compatriots and form an ethnic group within the society. This essay will try to analyze

six articles that appeared in periodicals to get an idea of what immigration means to Americans

and their opinion towards the laws that have been enforced against illegal immigrants.

Immigration is essentially the influx of people from their native country to permanently settle in

another country. However it is much more than displacement of people and the true issues that

lie behind immigration can be understood by closely monitoring the way the issue is reported in

the media. There are two opinions on any issue and immigration is not an exception to that rule.

There are people who support it and people who vehemently disapprove of it. In America, there

are American citizens who oppose the government’s move to regulate the flow of illegal

immigrants into the country. ‘In the wake of the new Arizona law allowing the police to detain

people they suspect of entering the country illegally, young people are largely displaying

vehement opposition…’ ‘Meanwhile, baby boomers, despite a youth of –live and let live- are

siding with older Americans and supporting Arizona law’ (Cave). According to Cathleen

McCarthy, a senior at the university of Arizona,’ Many older Americans feel threatened by the

change that immigration presents, Young people today have simply been exposed to a more
accepting world view.’ (Cave). From the above views it is possible to see that there is a clear

demarcation of opinions on the same issue.

‘Proponents say enough is enough, and it is time to crack down on illegal immigration after years

of inaction by the federal government. Opponents say the new law will lead to racial profiling’.

(Glauber) ‘Arizona’s law is quintessentially un American; we are not a ‘show me your papers

country, nor one that believes in subjecting people to harassment, investigation or arrest simply

because others may perceive them as foreign’ (McQuillen). ‘Arizona’s illegal immigrant

population is costing the taxpayers even more than once thought- a whopping $2.7 billion’

‘….Among FAIR’s most important findings was an estimate that tax revenues to the state will

actually increase if illegal immigrants leave’ (Barnes) ‘ the larger question is government policy

and why do we treat waiver people worse than we treat other people?’ (Bernstein) ‘City and

police officials (in Trenton) are under orders not to ask residents about their immigration status

unless it is in connection with a felony’. (Semple)

The role of the print media is basically to put facts in the public’s mind and let them form their

own opinions based on those facts. It is evident from the above quotes from various articles that

there is a balanced debate. There are opinions for and against the issue. The idea that is being

defined is that it is a problem that has no easy solution. Illegal immigration is no doubt a crime

but it seems that the Hispanic community in America is worried about being subjected to racial

profiling that the black community had to deal with in the past. This fear has led it to oppose the

Arizona immigration law. Enforcement of this law may lead to American citizens of Hispanic

descent being questioned by authorities. These articles have proven that every dark skinned

person in America whether he is a citizen or not has always had a problem with being accepted

in the country. Acceptance in a society is what drives a person beyond everything else. The fear
that he can be stopped anywhere to be questioned about his citizenship is a very frightening

thought. It is even enough to make him a rebel.

Ample evidence can be gathered from these articles that there is a section in American society

that is against outsiders reaping benefits of the society that their forefathers painstakingly built. It

is very much doubtful whether it would make a difference to them if the immigrant was legal or

illegal. The fact that these members of the society can be just another face in the crowd is

perhaps what terrifies the immigrant community in America. Another issue that has been brought

up is the complex nature of documentation to apply for visa that apparently led to the arrest of a

German theologian after his marriage to an American citizen. ’we made a mistake, but if two

Ph.D. students can’t figure it out, it shows the paperwork is really confusing’ (Bernstein) The

example of Trenton, N.J is perhaps to act as an example to the rest of the municipalities that are

against the Arizona law to issue identity cards to illegal immigrants. Issuance of these cards

makes things easy for the immigrants who don’t have valid papers and can help them get medical

care. ’People who are here in America must be safe and must be healthy, if they are not healthy

we are not going to be healthy’ (Semple)

In conclusion, immigration is all about an individual with certain ideas about his future and since

he cannot see them realized in his country sets out to a country with better opportunities. He

being accepted by the country can make things very easy for him. But that depends upon a lot of

factors that are beyond his control. These articles shed light upon the various issues that surround

the issue of immigration in America. However these issues are generic and can be applied to any

country in the world where there is rampant illegal immigration.

References.

Barnes, Ed. "Cost of immigration rising rapidly in Arizona, study finds." Fox News 17 May
2010.

Bernstein, Nina. "Strict reading of visa rule trips up more couples." The New York Times 14
May 2010.

Cave, Damien. "A generation gap over immigration." The New York Times 17 May 2010.

Glauber, Bill. "Arizona immigration laws and illegal immigrants:state of extremes." The
Christian Science Monitor 17 May 2010.

McQuillen, William. "Arizona immigration law challenged by ACLU in suit (update 2)."
Businessweek 17 May 2010.

Semple, Kirk. "In Trenton, issuing IDs for illegal immigrants." The New York Times 16 May
2010.