Lost In America Research Paper

Matthew Whear
9/27/14
Norwich University

Lost in America
Many immigrants focus all their energy to get to America, many giving their lives or spending it in jail. They are looking to achieve financial stability and allow their children to be US citizens. However many face obstacles to the achievement of this new life such as having virtually no money, no means of employment and no help, often living in a hostile environment, armed and driven with only the promise of a dream, a hope for a better life, and they remain faithful and attempt toe one day wake up as an American.
There are many challenges faced by the immigrant. They come to this land and hope to be treated with Respect and pledge allegiance to the American flag just like the Average American. As the land of opportunity gained popularity more and more seemed to find their way over. Innovations in travel allowed many the opportunity to start over. However the

National Origins Act, designed to limit the number of foreigners primarily from European countries, was the first law to restrict the number of immigrants in the U.S. Between 1800 and and the1900’s More than Twenty five million immigrants came over seas.
Unfortunately crossing seas and getting through Ellis Island was only the beginning.

With no money or job many found it nearly impossible to survive. An Italian poet best describes this feeling of disillusionment. Most foreigners looking for work simply took whatever was offered to them. Most industries who hired Foreigners often underpaid them and used them in dangerous environments. In many factories a state of informal slavery became where parents often bound children to work, unions were consistently unsympathetic towards women, and men took whatever was offered. . Combined with this, Urban housing was overcrowded and unhealthy, burning the idea of the American Dream as such in the minds of the inhabitants. Many looking for work flocked to the bustling cities, searching for a chance to make something for their families. When times were tough those who couldn't meet the dividends of life often turned to drugs. They would sell drugs and inadvertently end up injecting their profits due to extreme addictions that were developed as fast as they

came.
Of the 30,000 Albanians in the U.S in 1919 only 1000 were women. The men looked to settle and integrate into the Population, however many returned back to their homeland during world war one. This was yet another problem faced by many different nationalities or groups. The men often were the ones to be sent over, young men looking to bring back money to support a dying family or a poverty stricken household. It was tough to integrate, to find significant others when you don't even speak their language.
Built in 1892, Ellis Island in New York City handled. Those entering the United States ) When one arrived to the center they would be struck by Doctors askingDoctors asking twentyninetwenty nine investigative like questions, such asThen Doctors and nurses began searching the immigrants for signs of sickness or disease or debilitating handicaps.
Unfortunately today many immigrants are scrutinized still for not being ‘homegrown’. Many argue that immigrants do not pay taxes, where this is simply untrue Also immigrants help greatly with the economyAs Alan Greenspan pointed out,. Immigrants continue to stimulate our economy and provide a large workforce to those needing such.
At the end of the day, the immigrant finds himself overcoming obstacles such as starting a family, having no money, no employment, no help and even at times a hostile environment. He is armed only with the promise of a Dream, a hope for a better life, and they remain faithful in their idea of the pursuit of happiness .