Immigration To US
Immigration has held a major role in shaping our country. Immigrants
have
provided many things such as customs, manufacturing, inventions,
and
entertainment. Many people today don't realize how greatly we have been
affected
by immigration. A survey was given to ten people. The survey
contained a list of
people who were all immigrants. When asked how many
actually were, only one
person got the question right. Old Immigration
occurred between 1840-1890.
Immigrants during this time period came from
countries such as Ireland, Germany,
and Scandinavian countries (Norway,
Denmark, Sweden, and Finland). Next came the
period of New Immigration. These
newcomers came from Italy, Russia, Poland,
Lithuania, Greece, Austria,
etc., most of whom were peasants who couldn't speak
English. The people
who migrated during the period of Old Immigration disliked
these aliens
because it meant lower wages for themselves and the new immigrants
had
greater advantages including poor and political machines. These people
also
were not willing to adapt to American ways of life, created their own
little
towns that resemble their homeland. They were treated as outcasts.
New
Immigration ended with World War I when the immigrant boats were
being sunk.
Immigration is still continuing today. Current Immigration
includes people from
Latin America, the Philippines, and Asia. Laws
regarding immigration are
constantly changing to fit the needs of society. In
1854, the Know-Nothing Party
declared the need for strict limits on
Immigration. Members of this party felt
it was necessary that immigrants must
be residents of the United States for 21
years before being granted
citizenship. The campaign ended in 1860 during the
time of the Civil War due
to the demand of immigrants needed to enlist in the
Union Army. Ten years
later, the Naturalization Act is passed. This states that
only "white persons
and persons of African descent, " are able to
become citizens. This excludes
all Asians. This trend continues for several
decades. In 1921, Congress
decides to pass immigration restrictions, first
establishing a quota of
350,000 immigrants. The quota is increased as times
change. In 1995, it was
passed that the total number of legal immigrants allowed
to enter the United
States be limited to 650, 000 a year. Immigrants were given
visas, which
allowed them to come to this country. Visas were distributed for
family and
employment-based immigrants, and persons from "adversely
affected" countries.
Strict regulations have also been made due to the
large amount of people
entering the country illegally. The nation is on the
right track. They have
created laws stating limitations of the privileges of
immigrants, including
welfare and those who test positive for HIV/AIDS. There is
also a growing
problem with illegal immigration which needs to be tended to.
More Border
Patrol guards could be hired along the Mexican border, however, this
does
cost a lot of money. Funding could come out of taxes to help put an end
to
illegal aliens. Cutting down welfare, food stamps, and Medicare to
immigrants
even further would also be beneficial. Immigration is a key part
to our nations
history. The continuing situation could drastically affect our
country's future.